Operating Levy Information

[Citizen]

I rec'd the Operating Levy Information in the mail today from HLWW schools. I have found it very informative, to the point, and finally have some real figures to look at. I was hoping for more specifics as to what electives and extras would be cut from the budget, but this was still a step in the right direction.

I am interested what everyone else thought about it.

[DCGrandma]

Please research this operating levy information carefully before you walk into the voting booth. We live in the DC School District, and an operating levy was passed last fall, and last week we received our real estate tax information in the mail from Meeker County. We live in a small 3BR home, and our taxes increased 21% ($550.00). Of course, the entire increase was not entirely due to the operating levy; however, that was a major, major part of it. We will manage somehow, but we have neighbors living on a limited income, and their fear is that they will lose their home because they cannot continue to absorb the increased costs. So, if you feel that you can afford the increased costs, go ahead a vote for the increase - but please take into consideration what the increase will do to your parents, and your retired neighbors. It would be unfortunate that they would be forced to leave their homes because of these increased costs. We are seeing way too much of this with the foreclosures, etc., and in spite of the fact that an operating levy may be needed, please remember where this money will be coming from.

[thedog]

The best thing for any business is to cut different lines that don't work and to add new ones to try to get new customers.

[dcmom]

HLWW voters, please don't let DCGrandma scare you. I also live in the DC district and my taxes only went up $ 140.00 from last year. I live in a 3 bedroom home valued at about $200,000.00 But I live Stockholm township in Wright County. I am not sure what Meeker county did to cause the taxes to go up that much. I don't think that the $11.67 more per month is going to break me, even with rising gas prices. I feel that it is worth the amount to keep good schools which will make my property more likely to sell if and when I need it to.

[HikingStick]

While the school may be facing tough financial times, so are most of us and our neighbors. This is not the time to increase the tax burden.

Focus on the quality of education, and work on challenging students who are currently left unchallenged by current curricula. If my children aren't being challenged by the schools, I'm likely to bring them home and teach them there. I know that would make it harder on the entire school system (since much funding is based on per-student calculations), but I want to make sure my children learn and are excited by learning.

[DCGrandma]

I am not trying to scare anybody into supporting or not supporting a school referendum. My point is that you need to be aware of what supporting a levy will do to your real estate tax situation. Our taxes increased substantially; and, we do not live in a castle. Like I said, it is a small ranch style home, and our taxes increased well over $500.00!! However, I am beginning to question Meeker County's calculations because we have a neighbor whose property is worth well over $550,000.00 and their increase amounted to only $312.00, so something smells here and this is definitely not the school district's fault. Something is amiss in the assessor's office. However, each individual voter has to look at the situation very closely and decide for themselves if the increase in taxes is worth what the levy will provide. Do you need more foreign languages; and, if yes, will there be enough students needing those classes to warrant hiring a teacher, or are there only 4-5 students needing those classes? If that is the case, then perhaps those students need to look a Post-Secondary Option as a way to get those credits. Money is tight right now and everybody needs to look at their personal budgets to see if they can truly support the increased monies needed to vote for this levy!!

[odvdocom]

Baby Einstein 26 DVDs Boxset ENGLISH VERSION

• Price：$29.99
• Purchasing Baby Einstein 26 DVDs Boxset ENGLISH VERSION requires only $29.99, which is 40%-60% of the price on eBay even plus the postage, in addition, we will present three most popular DVD movies. It will be a not bad choice for you to enjoy them by yourself, present them to your friends, sell them out or dropship(dropshipping) them to your clients.