Community Corner
Will You Vote For Osseo's Levies?
Also this week: 'Murder on Main Street' author talk.
Osseo is asking voters to approve two levies when they head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The first is an operating levy that would replace the existing levy with a new one that would provide an additional $9 million annually for 10 years. It would add about $7 per month to the tax bill of a typical home, which is worth $192,000 in the district.
A similar request last year failed by just 116 votes when it went before voters. But the district says the money is needed to continue growth in student achievement and closing the achievement gap, providing high-level courses to more students and efforts to help students graduate on time. It would also reduce the impact of any future cuts.
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The district warns that if the levy request fails like it did last year, it would have to cut about $8 million over the next two years. Those cuts would lead to larger class sizee. Classes would have three more students on average across the district, but some could have as many as 40 students. There would also be fewer extracurricular activities and longer walking distances for junior and senior high students.
The existing levy isn’t scheduled to expire until 2017.
Find out what's happening in Maple Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The other request is for a technology levy, which will be called a capital projects levy on the ballot. It would bring in $5 million annually for 10 years, adding about $3 per month onto the tax bill of a typical home.
The district argues that it needs the money to keep up with neighboring districts. Officials note that the state average for technology levies is $222 per student compared to the $214 that Osseo is requesting.
The money would be used to improve technology infrastructure and give students more opportunities to use technology for learning. The district promises “a common-sense, phased in approach” for initiatives that put devices into the hands of students on a one-to-one basis.
Have an opinion? Here's how to post it on Patch.What else is happening this week?
Murder on Main Street Author Talk: William Kent Krueger
Meet the mind behind the Minnesota-based Cork O'Connor mysteries. Krueger's engaging style will entertain as he discusses his new novel, "Tamarack County." Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Maple Grove Library.
When: Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main Street N., Maple Grove
Blake Symposium to Feature Dr. Claude Steele
Dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education and author of “Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do.”This event is free and open to the public. Educators have the opportunity to receive 2 CEU credits for attending.
Claude M. Steele is the I. James Quillen Dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Previously, he served as the 21st Provost of Columbia University, as well as a professor of psychology.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Blake School, 511 Kenwood Parkway, Minneapolis
Also this week...
• Maple Grove and Osseo musicals premiereGet more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
