Osseo School District 279 Levy Requests Voted Down

Voters in the Osseo School District 279 have decided to vote down two school funding requests for the district.

The operating levy request, according to the District 279 website, was to “increase academic achievement” in the district was on the Nov. 6 ballot along as was the technology levy request was to expand classroom technology.

The operating levy request, question one on the ballot, failed by 116 votes with 50.09% of voters (33,908) voting no to the levy and 49.91% of voters (33,792) casting a yes vote, according to the unofficial results on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

The technology levy request, question two on the ballot, failed by 2,287 votes with 51.7% of voters (34,757) casting a no vote and 48.3% (32,470) yes votes, according to the unofficial results on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.

If the operating levy had approved, it would have generated about $9 million per year for five years for the Osseo School District.

“We recognize that it's difficult for anyone to consider new taxes in the current economic climate, and we sincerely appreciate the careful consideration voters gave these requests,” Osseo School District 279 School/Community Relations Director Barbara Olson wrote in an email to Patch. “Without additional operating income to sustain current staffing, programs and services, we’ll need to reduce expenditures by about $14 million over the next two years. Staff and School Board will start to work right away on a plan to identify reductions.”

If the technology levy had approved, it would have generated $5 million per year for ten years for technology purposes in the district.

“Without a dedicated funding stream for technology, the district's regular capital budget (which also provides for facility improvements, equipment and curriculum materials) will not be able to support the advances in classroom technology that help accelerate student achievement and prepare students for college and careers,” Olson wrote. “Our schools will need to think differently about strategic investments in technology.”

The Osseo School District is  the fifth-largest school district in the state, serving all or parts of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, Plymouth, and Rogers.

Editor's note: What do you think about the failure to pass the two levies? Share your thoughts in comments.

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For additional election related articles:

Maple Grove Election Results 2012

Hennepin County Election Results 2012