If one thing is clear about the upcoming $28.9 million referendum for a new fifth- and sixth- grade school and Woodson Kindergarten Center expansion, it’s this: Residents are divided on how to vote tomorrow.

Residents appear split over the referendum, according to several Daily Herald polls. The Herald asked residents last week for comments and whether they would vote yes, no, or are not voting through AustinDaily Herald.com, Facebook and an e-mail subscription list. Voters on the Herald website would shoot down the referendum this Tuesday, with 111 ‘no’ votes to 83 ‘yes’ votes and 19 not voting. Facebook voters were more positive, with 31 voting ‘yes’ to five ‘no’s. The Herald’s e-mail subscription list returned 172 ‘yes’ votes to 78 ‘no’ votes, with 15 not voting.

“Austin is growing and we need to respond to its education needs and plan for its future,” wrote one supporter via e-mail to the Herald.

There are plenty of referendum critics, however.

“It’s a lot of money right now in these days and times. People are out of work,” wrote one respondent. “I think that the teachers/ principals/ superintendents need to get creative.”

District officials say Austin’s student population is growing at a rapid pace in a time when most greater Minnesota school districts are shrinking.

There are plenty of supporters who believe the increasing enrollment and space crunch will affect the district’s ability to educate children.

“We either pay for a new school and invest in our kids and community, or we end up paying anyway for things like storage trailers and mall space and ultimately invest in nothing worthwhile,” a supporter wrote. “Seems like a no-brainer.”

The costs of building a new school and expanding Woodson are giving many residents pause, however.

“Not at this time (will I support the referendum) with all government levels facing large budget increases due partly to loss of the state paid homestead credit to cities, counties and schools,” a critic wrote.

Some critics say the district was too hasty to tear down extra school buildings in the past.

“If there hadn’t been such a ‘knee-jerk’ response 20 years ago to tear down the Shaw and Whittier elementary school buildings, there would be no need for a new school,” one critic wrote. “How many more buildings are going to be torn down pre-maturely only to discover later we should have saved them?”

Former district officials said earlier this year that shutting down schools prevented the district from spending money on them, money they say was kept in the classroom.

At issue is the tax increase for property owners, though district officials say the increase won’t be quite so severe. The 1991 $20 million bond referendum to renovate Austin High School will be paid off this year, which would offset most of the referendum costs if passed.

A $100,000 home’s property tax would increase by about $50 per year (or $1,000 total) if voters approved a 20-year, $28.9 million capital bond this November. A $150,000 home’s property taxes would go up by about $74.

By the same token, if the referendum fails, a $100,000 home’s property tax would go down by $76 and by $114 on a $150,000 home.

Why respondents are voting ‘yes’

• Anybody that doesn’t is purely being selfish and not thinking of our future.
• Austin is growing and we need to respond to its education needs and plan for its future.
• We either pay for a new school and invest in our kids and community, or we end up paying anyway for things like storage trailers and mall space and ultimately invest in nothing worthwhile. Seems like a no-brainer.
• The overcrowding problem is real. A vote against the referendum will cost the district and the people of Austin FAR more in the long run if we don’t act now.
• We should be happy to vote for this — it is great to see the community growing so much — we need to celebrate that fact by supporting the school system and kids!
• I have 7 children … and I’m sort of attached to them. 🙂 I have a firm conviction that our children are our future, and if we intend for them to succeed, we need to do our part in providing for them as many good opportunities as humanly possible. There will be some who will think more of their taxes than their own children or grandchildren. I for one will always choose my children over mere money. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Why respondents are voting ‘no’

• If the money were going for more teachers and ways to improve the quality of learning for our students, it would be different. But changing the space they learn in and spending $28 million to do it … NOT a chance!
• We need to look at available empty buildings to renovate or use. There are many empty buildings that could be used before we build something new. Lets be sure that indeed this is something we need for the future, not just now. My suggestion is also to place kids in classrooms according to ability, those not prepared should not be mainstreamed until ready. Our test scores are too low now. Students need to be better prepared to succeed at the grade level they are placed at.
• The one levy ends and this one takes the place of that one but your taxes won’t go up … well guess what they already have from the first levy and just wait for the jail levy to come in.
• There is no need to extend the existing bond. Let’s put only the costs related to the expansion out there and let the public decide – no more hidden agenda.
• The cost of the new jail has absorbed any extra tax dollars that could have been available for a higher priority as school improvements.
• Not at this time. With all government levels facing large budget increases due partly to loss of the state paid homestead credit to cities, counties and schools.