To the editor:

In keeping with our Mission, the ISD 88 Foundation endorses District 88’s upcoming levy referendum in the special election to be held on Nov. 2, 2021.

Strong schools mean a strong community and we are lucky to have excellent school systems in New Ulm. Strong schools attract new and returning residents and they help retain current residents. In order to have the strongest schools we can, they need to have adequate funding. Currently, the district has two operating levies that provide $1.8 million annually to the District’s operating budget.

In Question 1, the District is asking voters to renew these two levies. The District is not asking to increase the levy amount currently in place. In a process called Revoke and Replace, the two current levies would be revoked and a new single levy (for the same amount) would take its place. Answering YES to Question 1 will ensure that our District is able to continue to offer the same excellent educational opportunities that it has in the past.

In Question 2, the District is asking voters to approve additional funding that would go directly to the District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming supporting workforce development in our region. Our local area has identified the need for workers trained in the CTE fields, and the District is working to address that with its program offerings. The District currently has a CTE program that provides education and training in the building trades, food service, agriculture, business, healthcare, etc. Additional funding would increase and enhance this programming. Answering YES to Question 2 will help ensure that our community has the skilled workers it needs to continue to be successful and grow, which helps the community as a whole.

More information on the levy referendum and the tax impact can be found on the District’s website at www.newulm.k12.mn.us. Click the box titled Special Elections Info. For example, a home valued at $200,000 would see a yearly increase of $0 (zero dollars) for question one and an increase of $64.18 per year for question two. Additionally, a public informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday Oct. 25 in the New Ulm High School Auditorium.

The ISD 88 Foundation knows how supportive the residents of New Ulm and District 88 are towards our schools. Please continue that support with a YES vote on the levy referendums Question 1 and Question 2 on Nov. 2. It’s for our students and staff, our community, and our future.

Mike Benz, Jill Curry, Shannon Frauenholtz, Jake Holm, Tim Knaak, Mike Lieb, Jim Pearson, Joan Ristuccia, Ted Sauers, Abby Swenson

Members of

The ISD 88 Foundation