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10-24-2001 Duluth voters split on school referendumPoll finds support for keeping existing schools open, but some voters are not willing to give district money
BY RON BROCHU
Just barely, Duluth School District voters believe property taxes should be raised to enhance public schools, a Duluth News Tribune poll has found. But the poll's margin of error is plus or minus 5 percent. That, and the significant number of undecided voters, indicate the referendum could go either way Nov. 6. On related issues, survey participants favored the retention of three high schools and neighborhood elementary schools rather than consolidating students into new buildings. They also said small class sizes are more important than having broader curriculum. At a local cost of $4 million annually for five years, the proposed excess property tax levy was favored by 46 percent of participants and opposed by 44 percent. Ten percent were undecided. "I'm really torn. It hasn't been made clear to me how the money will be spent,'' said Gary resident Dawn DeFoe, who has two children in high school. She said school administrators missed that opportunity last week, when they mailed a two-page notice of special election throughout the district. It didn't contain the budget. "I don't know what exactly I'm voting for,'' she said. Proponents unveiled that budget at a Monday news conference, which Superintendent Julio Almanza believes will tip the balance toward approval. The state should be blamed for the local funding dilemma, several respondents said. "I like Jesse Ventura in a lot of ways, but I can't believe he let education down. Kids come first,'' said retired teacher Patricia Severin, a grandmother who supports the excess levy. Elaine Eider also is a proponent, saying Minnesota lawmakers made it a necessity. "I'm very disappointed in the state. This is a bill that should have been paid before the state mailed tax rebates,'' she said. The excess levy, if approved, will reduce the property tax relief enacted in June by the Minnesota Legislature. An owner of a $100,000 home, for example, is entitled to $279 in relief. If the school tax levy is approved, it will cost $259 and will, in effect, reduce the homeowner's relief to $20. Not surprisingly, levy support is greater among voters who have children in school, 56 percent versus 36 percent. It also received a more favorable response from women and Democrats than men and Republicans. Respondents said Duluth should retain three high schools, with 50 percent in favor, 40 percent against and 10 percent undecided. But some said the idea shouldn't permanently be abandoned. "I know it's not a popular idea, but if we consolidated, it might get people together more. If you have rich and poor kids together, they might have a better understanding of each other,'' said Barbara Vesel, an East Hillside resident who taught school for 34 years. Sentiments were less ambiguous on closing elementary schools. Sixty percent were opposed compared with 33 percent in favor. Seven percent were undecided. "Kids get caught in the middle when you move them from one school to another, creating insecurity,'' Vesel said. But only 36 percent are willing to pay for new school construction if consolidation reduces costs. Fifty-five percent opposed paying for new school construction, and 9 percent were unsure. Almanza said some consolidation is inevitable. "I believe we can consolidate and still maintain programs,'' he said. A significant majority -- 76 percent -- said small class sizes are more important to student success than offering a broader curriculum. After teaching classes of approximately 30 students for 22 years, Severin said her final class contained 20 students. "I couldn't believe how much more help I could provide,'' she said. |
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