Should state legislators overturn school board decisions and prompt higher taxes for District residents?

That’s the fundamental question being raised by recently proposed legislation that takes local control of specific financial decisions away from our locally elected school board and places it in the control of the state. In recent days, many in our school communities have asked themselves this question.

Their answer is a resounding, “no.”

Unprecedented interference
Last week, the House Education Committee voted in favor of adding an amendment to the Education Omnibus Bill that would mandate Mounds View Public Schools to establish a trust fund for the proceeds from the recent sale of property in Shoreview. The amendment requires that interest earned from this trust would be used for general operating purposes. However, current state law forbids school districts from using capital funds for operating funds. This ensures fiscal responsibility by preventing districts from using one-time money (capital) for unsustainable, long-term and ongoing needs (operating funds). Details about this legislation are available by visiting www.house.leg.state.mn.us and searching for “HF 1462.”

This legislative interference has certainly touched a nerve, even beyond our district. Minnesotans believe the state should address issues of statewide importance and allow locally elected citizens to address the local issues most near to them. That’s the basic tenet of local control.

Within our district, many are concerned that this amendment is taking unprecedented actions to interfere in our schools. I can’t think of another example where the state has singled out another district for legislation that would mandate how schools can use their funds. This is especially troublesome to the many residents who believe the District continues to demonstrate fiscal accountability in the face of significant budget challenges.

Wide opposition
You might recall that the School Board unanimously voted to oppose all legislative efforts that reject the current law regarding capital spending. But our School Board members are not alone. How do we know broad support for the District’s position exists?

· In the days following these political maneuvers, we have heard from members from each of our district’s seven communities. Through e-mails, phone calls and personal discussions, residents have told us they oppose the legislative efforts.

· Writers from around the metro area have published a variety of Letters to the Editor in metro newspapers condemning this attempt to circumvent local control for school boards.

· The February 24 Pioneer Press editorial “Fewer Students, Fewer Schools” said: “[These legislators] should leave school district governance to the elected school board.”

· Despite approval to include this amendment in the Omnibus bill, some legislators from both political parties have supported our efforts in keeping local control in the hands of locally elected School Board members.

· PTA organizations have opposed this legislation as well. For example, Valentine Hills Elementary School PTA members voted to oppose any actions that allow the state to override a local school board’s control over its school district.

· The independently operated 621 Parents’ Legislative Action Coalition has stated its opposition to legislation that allows the State Legislature to interfere with local school board decisions.

Why is opposition so strong?
These many people have a variety of reasons for their opposition. If successful, this legislation will have a negative financial effect on Mounds View Public Schools:

· The amendment leaves us short of funds by interfering with the capital-spending plan already approved by the School Board.

· As a result, the School Board would likely impose additional taxation on property owners and reduce General Fund programs for students in order to fund these capital commitments.

· In addition, this legislation does not produce enough money to keep all of our eight elementary schools open. For more details on these financial implications, please visit www.moundsviewschools.org/pdf/amendmentimpact.pdf.

I urge all interested residents to remain informed about this legislation and its potential effect on our schools. Please watch our web site for updates, and track the progress of the K-12 Omnibus Education Finance and Policy Bill at ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/bs/84/HF0872.html.