Richfield School Board Holds Annual ‘Truth-In-Taxation’ Meeting

The Richfield School Board’s first regular meeting in December 2011 featured the annual truth-in-taxation report presented by Michael Schwartz, the district's business manager.

Required by Minnesota law, the truth-in-taxation report summarized the various voter- and state-approved levies responsible for funding operations in the Richfield Public Schools District, which in 2011-12 is estimated to have an overall expenditure budget of approximately $60.5 million. Due to the state’s recent repeal of the , more of Richfield’s property taxes—29 percent of which go directly to funding Richfield public schools—will be paid directly by residents, rather than the state.

Truth in Taxation and its Meaning for Richfield Schools

The city has a number of operating levies which are expected to expire over the next few years. Following taxes paid in 2013, an operating levy which currently gives the school district $301 for each student enrolled will expire. Another operating levy, approved by voters in a November 2005 special election, will expire following taxes paid in 2016. That levy currently gives the district approximately $798 per student.

Of the nearly $47 million the district expects it will spend from its general fund in 2011-12—an amount which does not include transportation, capital repairs and certain student activities—approximately 82 percent, or roughly $38.5 million, will be devoted to the salaries and benefits of personnel.

Although he declined to comment specifically, Schwartz said that any cuts necessitated by the district’s continuing financial trouble would likely come at the expense of personnel. Richfield voters a that would have given the school district an additional $416 per pupil at the polls in November 2011.

After the meeting Schwartz was frank about the impact the expiring operating levies—and the defeated ballot measure which asked voters to approve an increase in the levy—will have on the school district.

“We’ll have to do cuts for next year, and we’re in that discussion right now," he said. "We’re starting projections and trying to figure out what the dollar amount will be."

Once the district has a firmer grasp of that number, it will be presenting its recommendations to the school board regarding upcoming budgets.

The school board will next meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Richfield Public Schools District Offices.