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Keep Bemidji Proud urges voters to approve school referendum
10/9/2008 12:00 AM

Michelle Bedard, The Bemidji Pioneer

As their toddlers played nearby during an Early Childhood Family Education class, a group of nine parents learned Wednesday about the Bemidji School District’s upcoming operating levy referendum.

“I’m here to make sure that you notice it on the ballot,” Julie Saari told the parents.

Saari, a volunteer with Keep Bemidji Proud, visited two ECFE parent groups Wednesday. The second group consisted of parents with infants.

Keep Bemidji Proud is urging voters to pass a referendum to renew the district’s current operating levy of $501 per pupil for another five years. The referendum will be part of the Nov. 4 general election.

“We’re just asking to maintain what we have,” said Rebecca Snyder, a member of the Keep Bemidji Proud steering committee, who joined Saari for one of the parent group visits.

A referendum failed last fall to extend and expand the district’s current levy. Without the renewal of the levy, the district will lose $3.2 million per year after the levy ends, which is set to occur at the end of this school year.

The district uses the current levy, which voters approved five years ago, to provide all-day, every-day kindergarten and the K-1 program, replace school buses and reduce class sizes.

Keep Bemidji Proud, which is making presentations on the referendum throughout the community, reports that the Bemidji School Board will be forced make $3.2 million in cuts if the referendum fails.

“There’s no question that drastic, dramatic cuts would have to happen,” Snyder said.

While the exact cuts would be determined by the School Board, a failed referendum would translate into program and personnel cuts that would amount to the equivalent of 60-90 full-time jobs, Snyder said.

With rising fuel and other costs and a state budget deficit, the district would face budget challenges even if the referendum passes, Snyder added.

“We’re still going to have to tighten our belts,” she said.

On Wednesday, Saari encouraged parents to spread the word about the referendum to their neighbors and other people.

“It affects everybody, and the more people who know about it, the better,” she said.

Snyder said the referendum has gained support from entities in the community. The Bemidji City Council and the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners passed resolutions of support for the referendum, and the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce also has endorsed the referendum.

Keep Bemidji Proud will continue efforts to raise awareness and support through Election Day with community presentations, including one at a Chamber of Commerce forum Oct. 16, and other events. The campaign plans to hold a rally Nov. 1 at a field at Bemidji State University, followed by door knocking, and a sign walking campaign Nov. 2-4 along busy streets and areas.

Parent Linda Newby, who has two children in ECFE and a third child in kindergarten, thanked Saari and Snyder for visiting with the group of parents with toddlers in ECFE.

“It is so important for our community,” Newby said. “Good schools make a good community.”

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