By Lori Ehde
Residents in both Luverne and Adrian school districts will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on operating levies the boards have proposed to hedge their budgets against uncertain future state support.
Luverne district voters will be asked to approve a $400-per-pupil operating levy that would amount to approximately $234,000 asked of Luverne School District property owners.
If the proposal is approved by voters, it will generate roughly $635,000 for the district. The local effort would be nearly 37 percent of that, or $234,000, with the balance coming from state aid.
"It's important to know it's a matched effort from the state," said Luverne District Financial Officer Marlene Mann. "If you put down 37 cents you get 63 cents back."
In Adrian, district voters will be asked to support a $450 per pupil operating levy referendum.
For the first year of the operating levy (2002-03) revenue would increase by more than $365,000. Of that, the local effort would amount to roughly $69,000 and the state would match that with nearly $246,000, plus more than $50,000 in open enrollment and equity revenue.
"For every $1 raised by taxpayers, the state will now contribute $3.57," an Adrian District brochure states.
Special elections in both districts will be Tuesday, Nov. 6.
In Adrian, residents can cast their ballots from 4 to 8 p.m. The Adrian Elementary Commons is the polling place for residents of the city of Adrian, as well as residents of Westside, Little Rock and Olney townships.
The Lismore City Hall is the polling place for residents of the city of Lismore, as well as residents of Lismore, Larkin, Leota and Wilmont townships.
In Luverne, polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. in the middle school-high school gymnasium.
The proposals require a 50 percent plus one majority to pass. If approved, the levies would be in effect for 10 years.
Each year, school board members can agree to levy lower amounts, but levies will be capped by the amounts voters approve Tuesday, if the proposals pass.
Questions can be directed to the Adrian School District Office, 483-2232, and to the Luverne District Office, 283-8088.