The East Grand Forks School District is trying to better inform voters this year than last in its effort to raise taxes to pay for education.
The district will offer four informational meetings for the public to learn about the levy referendum voters will be asked to approve on Nov. 6.
Before a referendum that was defeated last year, the district held two informational meetings.
The meetings:
-- 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Senior High.
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-- 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at South Point Elementary.
-- 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Central Middle School.
-- 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at New Heights Elementary.
The district will ask voters to approve a levy increase of either $400 or $500 per pupil unit for five years. Voters also may choose to reject an increase altogether.
The $400 per pupil increase would cost an additional $6 per $100,000 in home value each month, while the $500 option would bump the increase up to $8 per month for the same home.
A house, garage and one acre of a farmstead would be taxed on a property; agricultural land is not taxed by school levy referendums.
The $6 monthly increase would generate $704,301 a year for the district, according to district officials. Funds would be dedicated for classroom expenses, such as the addition of reading and math specialists, expansion of the college-in-the-classroom program and maintaining class sizes, which currently range from 22 to 28 students.
The $8 monthly option would raise $880,301 a year. The money would be used to upgrade facilities, such as the Senior High School roof and exterior track. It also would pay to replace student computer labs, according to school officials.
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Under both levy options, property tax increases would take effect for the 2008-09 school year, and the state would pay 45 percent of the amount raised.
Ricker covers elementary and secondary education. Reach Ricker at (701) 780-1104; (800) 477-6572, ext. 104; or aricker@gfherald.com .
