The Survey
We surveyed the community at the end of May to help determine a plan to keep educational opportunities for students. The survey mirrored the community’s voter demographics. Questions included voter perceptions of the district and reactions to potential levy options. From this survey, we formulated a referendum question for the November 5 ballot.
77% of respondents who graded the district gave it an A or B when asked to grade on quality.
The Plan
Enhance Safety. Maintain Quality.
Inver Grove Heights Schools will hold a referendum on November 5, 2024
Referendum Goal #1: Enhance Safety (Hire a second SRO, increase cybersecurity to protect data, update security equipment like building cameras)
Referendum Goal #2: Maintain Quality Education (Avoid further budget cuts, maintain class sizes, retain effective educators)
The referendum question would increase the operating levy from $710 per pupil to $1,337 per pupil. The increase would generate an estimated $2,287,045 next year.
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Learn more:
Download the Referendum Basics flyer
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Descargar la hoja informativa
Click here to view the full referendum brochure.
The Cost
Less than $14 per month.
The district conducted a stratified random sample survey to understand the community’s perceptions of the school district and reactions to potential levy options. Based on those survey results, the district is proposing an operating levy increase that would cost $13.75 per month on an average district home, or $165 per year.
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The increase would avoid budget cuts, prevent class size increases, and enhance safety if approved.
The Ballot Question
Under the header "School District Questions Independent School District No. 199 (Inver Grove Heights Community Schools)", the ballot question will read:
The school board of Independent School District No. 199 (Inver Grove Heights Community Schools) has proposed to increase its general revenue by $627 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2025, and increase by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2026, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 199 be approved?
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- ISD 199's current levy provides $710 per student. If approved, the levy would provide an additional $627 per student, a total of $2.2 million for the school district next year.
- The average rate of inflation is predicted to be less than 2.5% through at least 2031. An increase of 2.5% on $13.75 per month is 34 cents.
- An approved increase would generate $2,287,045 next year to avoid budget cuts, hire an additional SRO, and make safety and security updates.