By Lori Ehde
Upholding a long tradition of supporting its school system, Luverne District residents stepped up to bat Tuesday and approved a $400-per-pupil operating levy.
Only three years after supporting a new $12.5-million elementary school, Luverne residents agreed to support a $234,000 referendum that will provide more than $635,000 per year in new funding.
Of the roughly 3.900 eligible voters in the Luverne District, 1,366 cast their ballots, 767 in support of the proposal and 598 against it. There was one spoiled ballot.
"It was a great day … perfect weather," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer when asked if he was surprised by voter turnout.
District residents with a $50,000 home will pay $64 toward the new levy. Those with a $100,000 home will pay $128, and $200,000 homeowners will pay $256.
But many of these taxpayers, particularly those with farms and businesses, won't see these increases on their property tax statements, due to a state shift of school funding from property taxes to sales and income tax.