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The Plan
After a long process, we listened to community members who said last year’s referendum was confusing and expensive - and we heard you. The New London-Spicer School Board voted unanimously to put forward a two-question operating levy referendum to voters on the November 2, 2021 ballot. It’s a simplified request that increases revenue by $3.1 million less over 10 years than last year’s referendum question.
If approved, Question 1 would put in place a voter-approved operating levy of $1,020 per pupil, up from the current level of $0, to provide increased revenue for everyday operations including investing in struggling students and mental health, real-world experiences and college prep, and keeping staff, maintaining class size. Some of the recent cuts made by the district will be able to be reversed and we will continue to evaluate our expenditures and make necessary reductions while stabilizing our fund balance (savings account).
Question 1: The board of Independent School District No. 345 (New London-Spicer) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,020 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.If approved, Question 2 would allow for annual increases tied to inflation.
Question 2: If School District Question 1 is approved, the school district has also proposed to increase its general education revenue by having the proposed authorization in School District Question 1 increase each year by the rate of inflation.
An increase in revenue would allow NLS to evaluate areas for growth such as leadership of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and expansion of mental health programming and supports and other areas as identified.
How Will the Money Be Spent?
If voters approve the plan, the funds would provide for:
- Struggling students and mental health - Paraprofessional staff will be available to help struggling students, as will counselors and other resources for students facing mental health challenges. Addition of interventionists to assist with academic needs.
- Real-world experiences and college prep - Programs such as Agriculture, Welding, Personal Finance and other Career and Technical Education options will be maintained to provide real-world experiences for students, as will courses that provide students with college credits like College in the Schools.
- Keeping staff, maintaining class size - We’ll avoid cutting teachers and staff which will allow us to return to smaller class sizes, meaning students get more time with teachers.
