Then, if they want more to meet their needs, school boards can raise their local property tax levies, Risser said. I very strongly support return to local control of the schools. In response to large property tax increases during the late 1980s and early 1990s, the state-imposed revenue caps limit how much school boards can tax property owners. You can't maintain two-thirds of state aid if you eliminate the caps,'' he said. The growth gap between state-allowed increases and actual cost have created an economic crisis for many schools, Boyle said.
School districts can exceed their caps only by getting voter approval in a referendum.
We don't require that of county government, city government or townships. We don't require that of state government.'' Declining enrollment and rising property values are the real problem, Berry said. Schools are facing higher fixed costs with fewer students upon whom to spread them,'' he said. Risser said elected school board members should be trusted to make decisions regarding local spending without having to go through the time, effort and expense of holding referendums. Back to Top 2001 Duluth News Tribune.