Eastern Carver County Voters Approve Referendum Question
On November 2, voters approved Eastern Carver County Schools’ referendum question. The question, a $550 per pupil increase in the operating levy, was approved by 69% percent of voters.
“Our communities have spoken, and I am grateful for their decision and the opportunities it will afford our learners in the years ahead,” Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams said. “This investment in our students, our staff, and our district will allow us to continue to offer the exceptional education our community expects and deserves.”
Approval of the referendum question allows the district to continue its commitment to providing students with access to high quality academics as well as other programming to support student development and success.
Election results are unofficial until they are canvassed by the School Board at its Nov. 10 regular meeting.
The Eastern Carver County School Board unanimously approved putting an operating referendum in front of voters in the November 2, 2021 election. The operating levy is a strategic investment in sustaining and building the district’s high quality educational and programming activities into the future.
The 10-year operating levy would provide an increase in operating revenue of $550 per pupil, which equates to approximately $5.2 million of additional revenue for the district in the first year. The estimated tax impact on the average homeowner would be about $20/month, based on an average home value of $375,000.
REFERENDUM BALLOT QUESTION
10-year operating levy to increase the general education revenue by $550 per pupil,
subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation.
- | Tax Impact |
- | Voting Information |
- | At A Glance |
- | FAQ |
- | Financial Responsibility |
- | Community Engagement |
- | Per Pupil Spending |
| Tax Impact |
| Voting Information |
Vote on November 2
Polls will be open on November 2, 2021, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your polling location is based on your residence and may be different from previous elections. Visit www.mnvotes.org to find out where to vote in this election.
Vote early in person
Early voting begins September 17, 2021. You can vote early in person at the Carver County Government Center at 600 E. 4th Street in Chaska.
Hours:
September 17 - October 29
Monday-Friday: 8:00 - 4:30
October 30: 10:00 - 3:00
November 1: 8:00 - 5:00
Vote early by mail
Early voting begins September 17, 2021. Request an absentee ballot by mail using this form. Voting instructions will be included with the ballot.
November 2 Combined Polling Locations:
- Carver City Hall, 316 Broadway, Carver | City of Carver, Dahlgren Township, San Francisco Township
- Chanhassen Recreation Center, 2310 Coulter Blvd., Chanhassen | City of Chanhassen, Precincts 1B, 2B, 3, 4, and 5
- Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Dr., Chaska | City of Chaska, Wards I, II, III, and IV
- Victoria Recreation Center, 8475 Kochia Ln., Victoria | Laketown Township and City of Victoria, Precincts 1, 2, and 3
| At A Glance |
| FAQ |
Referendum
- When is the 2021 referendum?
- What is the referendum request?
- What kinds of things can operating funds be used for?
- If the referendum does not pass on November 2, what things will be cut from the district's budget?
When is the 2021 referendum?
What is the referendum request?
What kinds of things can operating funds be used for?
If the referendum does not pass on November 2, what things will be cut from the district's budget?
Voting
How can I vote early in person?
How can I vote early by mail?
To vote by mail, you can request an Absentee Ballot be mailed to you by using THIS FORM. Instructions on where to return this Absentee Ballot Application can be found on the form.
How do I vote on November 2, 2021?
Polls will be open on Nov. 2, 2021, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is a district Special Election and your polling location may be different from previous general elections.
Carver City Hall, 316 Broadway, Carver
Residents living in City of Carver, Dahlgren Township, San Francisco Township
Chanhassen Recreation Center, 2310 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen
Residents living in City of Chanhassen, Precincts 1B, 2B, 3, 4, 5
Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Dr., Chaska
Residents living in City of Chaska, Wards I, II, III, IV
Victoria Recreation Center, 8475 Kochia Ln., Victoria
Residents living in City of Victoria, Laketown Township, and Precincts 1, 2, 3
Tax Impact
- How would approval of the operating levy affect property taxes? And, for how long?
- As our district grows and more residents move here, how does this impact my taxes?
- How does our levy funding compare with other school districts?
- How does inflation impact the levy?
How would approval of the operating levy affect property taxes? And, for how long?
If voters approve the 2021 Referendum question, the average homeowner would see a tax increase of about $20/month or $242 annually. (This is based on an average Carver County home value of $375,000.) This is a 10-year operating levy and it is subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. State statute limits school districts from having operating levies for more than 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period, the levy can be renewed with voter approval, or it can be allowed to expire.
Use the referendum tax calculator to find the tax impact for your property.
As our district grows and more residents move here, how does this impact my taxes?
As our community grows, so does the property tax base. Because of that, the actual tax Impact for homeowners has historically decreased over time. This is a result of the levy being spread out across more properties. If the communities that make up our district continue to grow as anticipated, the estimated tax impact of this operating levy will likely decrease in subsequent years.
How does our levy funding compare with other school districts?
While each school district’s financial situation varies, it is important to understand how we compare to other communities investment into their schools. We have historically benchmarked ourselves against 13 other districts that are about the same size and demographic make-up of Eastern Carver County Schools. As you can see in the dark blue, we are currently in the lower half of our benchmark districts in comparative local funding.
If the operating referendum is successful on November 2, we would move closer to the middle of our comparable districts.
How does inflation impact the levy?
Per Pupil Funding
How does our district spending compare with other school districts?
During the course of the informational campaign the school district has been engaged in over the past several months, the main goal has been to get accurate information out to our community so they can make a well-informed decision based on the best information possible. In a paid letter to the editor that was featured in both the Chaska Herald and the Chanhassen Villager this past week, some concerns were raised about the amount the district spends per student, as well as the inflation factor that is included with the referendum question. We recognize that others in our community may have similar questions, so we wanted to make a public response to the questions and concerns.
Eastern Carver County Schools regularly compares itself to 14 other school districts in the twin cities metro area that are similar in size and demographic makeup, including Edina Schools, which was referenced in the article. Of those districts, Eastern Carver County Schools ranks 11 out of 15 in total expenditure per student, at the $17,669 that was referenced for the 2019 fiscal year. Edina is one of the 10 districts that have a higher expenditure per student, at $20,116 per student. The chart below shows each of the school district’s actual expenditures per student for the fiscal year referenced.
The other concern that was raised was the inflation factor that is included with this referendum question. We recognize that there is uncertainty with inflation right now, and this may cause even more questions and concerns. It is important to note that of our comparable districts that currently have an operating levy, Eastern Carver County Schools is the only one that does not currently have a levy tied to inflation. The result of this is that as inflation continues to rise and our funding stays static, the gap of what we need to maintain our current level of services widens. The inflation factor is being requested to provide a more sustainable financial model into the future, to withstand the effects of inflation on our operating budget.
Finally, the school district takes our responsibility of being good stewards of our taxpayers investment in schools very seriously. Part of that effort is to publish a comprehensive budget document each year that lays out the revenue and expenditures we anticipate. This 300+ page document can be found here. In addition, the district goes through an extensive financial audit each year, and since 2011 we have received national recognition for our financial statements and protocols. We will continue to work hard to use our resources to make the biggest impact for our students, as well as to build trust with our community and stakeholders.
Additional Factors
- How did the district use the special COVID-19 funding distributed by the federal government last year?
- Why isn't the district asking for a funding for a new bus garage and deferred maintenance in this referendum?
How did the district use the special COVID-19 funding distributed by the federal government last year?
Eastern Carver County Schools has received one-time federal funding via three federal stimulus bills to be used to cover costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were used for things like "super substitutes" - districtwide positions added to ensure regular coverage of classrooms at a time when substitutes were in short supply, personal protective equipment, air filtration, and increased cleaning and sanitation costs.
Why isn't the district asking for a funding for a new bus garage and deferred maintenance in this referendum?
The school board spent months reviewing information, analyzing data, and discussing district and building-level needs to arrive at the decision to bring a referendum question to voters. The board unanimously agreed that this operating levy is critical in helping to prevent future budget cuts, grow the district’s fund balance and protect district programs and services. The board will continue to look for fiscally responsible solutions to address the need for a new bus garage as well as the district's need for deferred maintenance. As the district continues to grow, the maintenance of our growing bus fleet will only become more important.
| Financial Responsibility |
Eastern Carver County Schools is committed to the most efficient use of the funds we receive from local, state, and federal levels to educate our students.
- Financial Forecast
- Cost Containment
- Facilities Task Force
- Funding
- Enrollment
- Capacity
- Carver Addition
Financial Forecast
Resources
- Financial Forecast | 05.10.21
- 2020-2021 Budget Revision | 04.12.21
- Capital Related Budget | 04.12.21
- Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.22.21
- Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.08.21
Financial Forecast | 05.10.21
2020-2021 Budget Revision | 04.12.21
Capital Related Budget | 04.12.21
Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.22.21
Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.08.21
Cost Containment
Eastern Carver County Schools is committed to the most efficient use of the funds we receive from local, state, and federal levels to educate our students. Our district has been recognized repeatedly for our financial reporting and budgeting. Balancing the school district budget and maintaining a healthy fund balance has meant reduced spending or budget cuts in recent years.
Facilities Task Force
Just like homeowners who review and prioritize their maintenance projects, a district task force of parents, teachers, school board members and district staff is doing the same. The facility task force is meeting now to look at our district to-do list in detail and come up with a recommendation that will be shared with the School Board.
Resources
- Carver Elementary Addition | 05.24.21
- Facilities Task Force and Administration Recommendations | 05.10.21
- Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.22.21
- Initial Facilities Task Force Findings and Financial Forecast | 02.08.21
- Task Force Members
Carver Elementary Addition | 05.24.21
Facilities Task Force and Administration Recommendations | 05.10.21
Facilities Task Force Recommendations and Financial Forecast | 02.22.21
Initial Facilities Task Force Findings and Financial Forecast | 02.08.21
Task Force Members
Administration
-
Lisa Sayles-Adams - Superintendent
-
Jim Bach - High School
-
David Brecht - Student Services
-
Celi Haga - Communications
-
Beth Holm - Middle School
-
DeeDee Kahring - Finance & Operations
-
Erin Rathke - Asst. Superintendent
-
Nate Slinde - Elementary
Board members
-
Jenny Stone
Buildings & Grounds
-
Jim Muenzenmeyer
Community
-
Amy Logue
-
Ron Meyer
Parents
-
Deanne Haugen
-
Missy Herzog
-
Danielle Jorgensen
-
Jeremy Rock
-
Ben Sinko
Students
-
Sam Newman
-
Tasia Griffin Seivers
Teaching & Learning
-
Chris Hentges
Teachers
-
Charles Witcombe
Consultants
-
Sal Bagley - Wold Architects
-
John Huenink - KA Construction
Funding
Public schools receive funding from a variety of sources including federal and state government financing. Districts also rely on local funding from taxpayers’ property taxes.
Resources
COVID Relief Funding
Eastern Carver County Schools has received one-time federal funding to be exclusively used to cover costs caused by the hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress has passed three stimulus bills, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), that provided nearly $190.5 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) Fund.
ECCS currently has been allocated over $3 million in COVID relief funding. The district will have access to an additional estimated $3 million as more stimulus funds are distributed in the coming months. The district is allowed to spend the special funding on a range of things including:
- Upgrades to enhance indoor air quality, and ventilation in buildings
- PPE for staff (masks, face shields, etc.)
- Plexiglass dividers in school spaces such as office reception areas
- Technology and internet hotspots for distance learning
- Additional cleaning and sanitation products required during COVID-19
- Mental health support
- Summer school programming
- Some staff salaries as they relate to teaching during COVID-19 such as additional substitute teachers
- Meeting the needs of underserved students
ECCS allocates these funds responsibly with the health and safety of our students and staff in mind, and with the priority to preserve in-person learning. These funds cannot be used for addressing the issue of enrollment loss due to COVID-19.
Enrollment
Predicting student enrollment is complicated. School districts use a number of factors to predict growth and enrollment trends, including: census data, births, student mobility, and housing development. For years, Eastern Carver County Schools has experienced steady growth. Carver County is the fastest growing county in the state, and looking at predicted land development in the four communities that our district serves, we anticipate that trend will continue.
Significant events can cause a disruption in growth predictions. School districts across the nation experienced enrollment loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ECCS was no exception. The district lost over 300 students in the 2020-21 school year as a result of parents choosing another option for their children during the health crisis. While the district anticipates that some of those students will return as things resemble normal again, there’s no way of knowing for sure until the fall of 2021.
As a result, we have adjusted our growth projections to account for this year’s loss in enrollment. The district is still on pace to continue growing, and we still anticipate more needs in terms of space, particularly at the elementary level, in the future.
Resources
Capacity
Capacity is the ability of a building to house students and important programs such as preschool and center-based specialized services. When a new school is built, it has a certain amount of building capacity. That number is fluid, though, and changes in how the space is used can impact overall capacity. For instance, if a classroom is transitioned to a computer lab, or a specialized services program with lower class sizes is in the building, that can reduce the building’s overall capacity.
As a district, our biggest capacity concerns are at the elementary level. Our high schools and middle schools have enough space for the next several years to absorb growth in the district. In the 2019 referendum, the district proposed building a new elementary school to increase capacity at the elementary level, where most of the pressure is felt. This bond referendum failed. If it had been approved by voters, the new school would have opened in the fall of 2021. The 2019 referendum also included an operating levy which also did not receive voter approval. The failure of this operating referendum, along with shortfalls in state and federal funding, have resulted in more than $9 million in budget cuts and cost containment efforts including the need to increase class size at the elementary level.
Even with these increased class sizes, some of our buildings are still close to, or approaching capacity. Were class sizes to be reduced, this could put even more pressure on our elementary buildings. Given these factors, the district will likely convene a Boundary Task Force to look at where the growth is occurring in the district and how we might balance out enrollment at all of the elementary schools to make sure buildings aren’t overcrowded.
Resources
Carver Addition
Carver Elementary School was built with the understanding that an addition would eventually be a part of the building. Certain spaces - like the cafeteria and gymnasium, were designed bigger to accommodate for additional students in the future. As the western half of the district has continued to grow, including the neighborhoods right around Carver Elementary, adding on to the building has become a priority.
In May 2021, the Board voted to approve a $9 million addition to Carver Elementary, authorized via lease levy. The addition will add on over 19,000 square feet and increase capacity by 150 students. Work will begin in the summer of 2021, with the new addition opening in the fall of 2022.
Resources
| Community Engagement |
Join us for a community informational presentation and a chance to ask questions about the November 2 referendum.
Community Information Session
September 28, 2021
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Chaska High School Auditorium
Community Information Session
September 29, 2021
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Zoom webinar: Please register here for the webinar link
Spanish Community Information Session
October 7, 2021
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Chaska High School Blue Forum
Somali Community Information Session
October 14, 2021
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Clover Ridge Elementary
Community information session recording
If you weren't able to attend a community information session live, please use the recorded version below to learn more about the upcoming referendum.
| Per Pupil Spending |
During the course of the informational campaign the school district has been engaged in over the past several months, the main goal has been to get accurate information out to our community so they can make a well-informed decision based on the best information possible. In a paid letter to the editor that was featured in both the Chaska Herald and the Chanhassen Villager this past week, some concerns were raised about the amount the district spends per student, as well as the inflation factor that is included with the referendum question. We recognize that others in our community may have similar questions, so we wanted to make a public response to the questions and concerns.
Eastern Carver County Schools regularly compares itself to 14 other school districts in the twin cities metro area that are similar in size and demographic makeup, including Edina Schools, which was referenced in the article. Of those districts, Eastern Carver County Schools ranks 11 out of 15 in total expenditure per student, at the $17,669 that was referenced for the 2019 fiscal year. Edina is one of the 10 districts that have a higher expenditure per student, at $20,116 per student. The chart below shows each of the school district’s actual expenditures per student for the fiscal year referenced.
The other concern that was raised was the inflation factor that is included with this referendum question. We recognize that there is uncertainty with inflation right now, and this may cause even more questions and concerns. It is important to note that of our comparable districts that currently have an operating levy, Eastern Carver County Schools is the only one that does not currently have a levy tied to inflation. The result of this is that as inflation continues to rise and our funding stays static, the gap of what we need to maintain our current level of services widens. The inflation factor is being requested to provide a more sustainable financial model into the future, to withstand the effects of inflation on our operating budget.
Finally, the school district takes our responsibility of being good stewards of our taxpayers investment in schools very seriously. Part of that effort is to publish a comprehensive budget document each year that lays out the revenue and expenditures we anticipate. This 300+ page document can be found here. In addition, the district goes through an extensive financial audit each year, and since 2011 we have received national recognition for our financial statements and protocols. We will continue to work hard to use our resources to make the biggest impact for our students, as well as to build trust with our community and stakeholders.