The forum Wednesday at Denfeld High School was sparsely attended. Superintendent John Magas provided residents with details about what the referendum would support and took questions.
Voters will be asked to vote on two ballot questions individually. The first would allow the district to refinance existing debt paid out of the district's general fund. This would provide $2.6 million in general fund dollars to protect investments in academic and mental health support staff and for high school programming to increase student engagement and improve graduation rates.
The second ballot question would authorize a capital projects levy to provide $5.3 million annually over 10 years. The levy would fund devices for students and staff, digital learning software, classroom technology, enhanced online security infrastructure, technology services and IT staff.
While the gathering Wednesday was small, there were some reactions and questions from those in attendance. Naseem Farahid, a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, said he was interested in hearing what the district planned for the funds.
"I was really hopeful and optimistic with the different programs they have allocated for both mental health and academic support," Farahid said. "I was a little bit surprised at how little the asking price was for the mental health and academic services, granted, I understand that they're trying to be humble with their asking price.
"This is something that impacts our community and I feel like our parents and our families want their children to be supported, especially with the effects of the pandemic."
* The last proposed technology referendum, in 2018, failed by 1,183 votes, a 48.7% to 51.3% margin.
* The current technology budget, which Superintendent John Magas described as "being put together by spit and duct tape," is about $250,000 per year, which he said "doesn't come close to touching the needs."
* The Denfeld High School auditorium needs a new light and sound system, which runs around $300,000.
* The district is funding 37 positions to support students' mental health and academic support through temporary federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds. Magas said the district would likely have to cut 22 of those positions by next year — primarily reading and math interventionists and a multi-tiered system of support specialists who are intended to keep kids from slipping through the cracks.
* Funds would be used to help the district form a new high school schedule, possibly seeing a transition to a seven-period day. Magas said the schedule is still under development.
* Owners of a home valued at $289,000, the median number in the district, would see a monthly tax increase of $1 for the first question and $10.85 for the second, for a total of $11.85 per month, or $142.20 per year.
* The district recently received a higher bond rating and over the past few years has ensured its fund balance has increased from under $500,000 to around $10 million, the recommended amount from the state for a school district of its size.
* Without the additional influx of the referendum, Magas said the district would likely see cuts this next year of around $15-$20 million from the $132 million budget. "And around 70% of our budget is staff and benefits, so we can't cut that amount without having an impact on the people working here," Magas said.
* 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, via Facebook Live.
* 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Duluth East High School cafeteria.
* 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, Area Learning Center inside Technology Village, 11 E. Superior St., Suite 450. Free parking in Tech Village parking ramp.
© 2023 the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
