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While the Ogilvie Public Schools is a point of pride in our community, we face a number of operational and facility challenges that we must address soon. On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, residents will vote on an operating levy question and two bond referendum questions to address these needs.

 

Our Operational Needs

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Since the expiration of the Capital Facilities Loan (maximum effort loan) in 2020, the Ogilvie Public Schools has been able to fill budget gaps by refunding bonds, a fund transfer approved by the state, and one-time federal pandemic relief dollars. However, these are temporary measures that will not be available in the future.

 

The district has been close to Statutory Operating Debt (SOD), but has used temporary funds to achieve a positive fund balance. Once these funding sources are gone, the district will most likely be in SOD and not able to cover operating costs. 

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Under Minnesota law, a school district is in SOD when it reports a year-end net negative general fund balance exceeding more than 2.5% of its operating expenditures.

 

As a result of this funding situation, an operating levy is necessary to sustain programs and services for students. The last time the community approved an operating levy for the Ogilvie Public Schools was 1999.

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Our Facility Needs

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The Ogilvie Public Schools’ PreK-12 building has a series of pressing facility needs, including:

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  • The  last remaining section of the original roof is in very poor condition and needs to be replaced. It has recently received emergency repairs to keep water out, but those repairs will only last a year.

  • Many of the skylights leak and need to be replaced or covered over to prevent water infiltration.  

  • The building entrances do not currently meet Minnesota Department of Education safety and security standards. 

  • The track needs reconstruction and better drainage.

  • The playground is worn and ready for upgrades/replacement.

  • Mechanical upgrades are needed in several areas including: the main and small gyms, locker rooms, pool, commons, and auditorium.

  • Drainage on our school grounds is a challenge. Ditches and dry wells should be cleaned out to prevent flooding issues.  

  • The pool is in need of upgrades, including the filtration system, gutter maintenance, and resurfacing.

 

District leaders and the School Board believe now is the right time to move forward on these important projects, as doing so will only get more expensive if we wait.

Proposed Solutions

Question #1 (Operating Levy)

When communities support an operating levy, they provide a school district general funds to use for academic programs, textbooks, co-curricular programs, staff salaries, technology, transportation, utilities and general operations.

 

An approved operating levy would help the district address our financial needs, preserve programs and services, and avoid the district going into Statutory Operating Debt. It would provide us with an additional $720 per student in revenue for the next 10 years.

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The levy would have an estimated property tax impact of $173 per year on a home worth $125,000 in our community.

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Question #2 (Bond Referendum)

A bond referendum provides a district with funds to make improvements to facilities and building infrastructure. For example, bonds can be used for major construction, such as renovation, building an addition, building new schools, or general building projects. 

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The second question is a 20-year, $7,040,000 bond referendum that would allow the district to move forward with:

  • Remodeling front entrances to improve security and better monitor/control visitor access

  • Repairing or replacing leaky roof sections and exterior brickwork

  • Regrading the site and improving drainage to reduce flooding

  • Repairing and upgrading the pool

  • Reconstructing the track

  • Replacing worn and aged classroom furniture

  • Updating the playground

 

If this question is approved, it would have an estimated property tax impact of $144 per year on a home worth $125,000.

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Question #3 (Bond Referendum)

The third and final question on the ballot is a 20-year, $2,805,000 bond referendum that, if approved, would allow the Ogilvie Public Schools to upgrade ventilation systems throughout the district. If this question is approved, the estimated property tax impact would be $69 per year on a home worth $125,000.

Contact Us

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