The Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose (BHM) School District is asking residents to vote on an operating levy referendum that will increase funding by $750 per student (this is not the tax impact amount for residents–See that chart here).
Funds from the operating levy go to pay for salaries, supplies and other operating expenses.
In November 2018, BHM failed to pass a levy that would have helped provide funds to operate the district. As a result, the district made about $1.3 in budget reductions for the 2019-20 school year.
Prior the this year’s vote, the district asked residents to participate in a district-wide survey for feedback. The results of that survey were shared with the school board in June. Based on the recommendations from the independent survey company and the BHM Director of Finance and Operations, the school board decided to ask residents for a $750 per student operating levy election this November.
According to the district, “The high-quality programs and services already provided by BHM Schools will be maintained; no additional reductions will be necessary. However, this will not restore any of the reductions made for the 2019-20 school year.”
If the BHM Operating Levy Referendum Fails
The school board has already determined a list of reductions, totaling $2.9 million, which will need to be made to help balance the budget. Some of the reductions include:
- Cut 22 teachers, 1 administration and 11 other staff
- Close Phoenix Learning Center
- Close Discovery Elementary
- Cut Quest (gifted program)
- Cut the wRight Choice program (alternative for out-of-school suspension)
- Cut 6 activities at Buffalo High School
- Cut ALL middle school activities
- Cut 3 regular bus routes (longer ride times and longer walking distances)
Polling places for BHM residents include:
- Buffalo High School–877Bison Blvd, Buffalo MN
- Hanover City Hall–11250 5th St NE, Hanover, MN
- Montrose Community Center–200 Center Ave S, Montrose, MN
Check with the state’s Pollfinder to find out where to vote.