To the editor:

With the upcoming levy and bond referendum rapidly approaching, I felt the need to provide some necessary information to the questions being asked.

We have all heard a tremendous amount of rhetoric surrounding the district's handling of finances, managing growth, and timing of the referendum.

Much of the rhetoric surrounding finances can be confusing.

Let's keep the district finances simple. Here's what has been done in recent years:

•?A balanced budget except for years where schools were opened. It's obviously expensive to open schools.

•?Refinanced building bonds to save taxpayer dollars

•?$2.3 million in reductions in order to balance the budget

•?Only seeking funds through bonds and levies as needed, when needed.

In terms of growth, the district has wisely engaged citizens in participating on the Growth Task Force to examine growth and its impact on facilities.

The high school was planned with growth in mind, and task force recommended that the board proceed with that planned expansion.

An important element in managing the district's growth of is opening the new elementary school, Redtail Ridge.

Without the additional funding provided by the levy, you can expect the following:

• Redtail Ridge Elementary school will not open, larger class sizes at each school

• Additional cuts in programs and staff

• Additional expenditures of $150,000 per year to maintain an empty building

• More congestion at an already full high school

• Even more financial dependency on organizations to fund programs like ELC, band, and others.

Understanding these elements is important in making a sound decision on the referendum.

Let's make sure we have the teachers, buildings, and funding to provide the best possible learning environment for students.

Let's make sure we can provide for the programs that have made our district special. Let's not risk losing these programs.

If you are committed to our schools, you can demonstrate your commitment by registering as a yes voter on the Stand By Me Web site at www.stand-by-me.com, encouraging others to register as a yes voter on the Web site, and voting "yes" on Nov. 6.

JIM CASSENS
Prior Lake

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