Why is an operating levy for teaching and learning needed?
Over the last decade, Minnesota school districts have faced significant funding challenges and unreliable state funding. For the 2008-09 school year, the Legislature has approved only a 1% increase in general funding, which is not adequate to keep pace with inflationary increases. For Bloomington Public Schools that translates to a $5.2 million deficit for 2009-10. The school board faced two choices: to cut another $5.2 million from the budget, which would severely impact educational programs, increase class sizes, eliminate co-curricular programs, and reduce staff or ask voters for an increase in the taxing authority for the general operating levy.
