LeRoy-Ostrander Public School will ask voters to extend the operating levy on Nov. 3 for another 10 years.

“First of all, our operating levy is due to be up here in a couple of years, so it’s time to go out and renew it,” Superintendent Jeff Sampson said. “Specifically, if we didn’t have the operating money we’d have to make significant cuts, and quite frankly in a school this small that would be devastating.”

The current operating levy has been in effect for eight years and is coming to the end in about a year, so Sampson said school officials are hoping to cancel the levy and renew it for another 10 years at the same level and cost to taxpayers.

“We are basically asking for an extension of what we currently have on the books,” he said.

Sampson explained the ballot wording will be a bit confusing. The ballot is worded to say voting yes will increase taxes, but if the levy passes it will not increase taxes compared to what homeowners have been paying.

This is because if approved, taxpayers will cancel the current levy making taxes go to zero, while simultaneously raising taxes back to the originally level, but for an extended time.

“The only reason that is, is because in one pen stroke, they’re lowering their taxes and then raising it the same amount for the next 10 years,” Sampson said.

The current operating levy is set at $1,578.63 per pupil, which will end in the fiscal year of 2018. For a home that costs $125,000, taxes will remain at $373 for the year, according to a tax impact chart found on the school website.

Sampson said taxes will not go up, and for people with agricultural property taxes are based on the value of the house, garage and one acre of land. The money goes toward day-to-day operations.

“This money goes towards the operations of the school,” Sampson said. “So paying its electricity bill, paying its classroom budgets, salaries, anything to do with the day-to-day operation of the school. Basically we call it the ‘keep the lights on’ referendum.”

Sampson explained the state has provided less aide for schools, which is why many schools need operating levies. If the operating levy does not pass, there will be budget cuts, which could include things such as programs, employees and facilities. He said the state requires certain programs, for example a fine arts credit, but instead of offering three or four programs to fulfill this credit, the school might have to cut it down to only one or two programs.

“It would have to be all nonessential programs,” he said.

“We like providing as many different options as we can for kids that’s responsibly offered,” he added.

More information can be found at the school’s website at www.leroy.k12.mn.us/leroy-ostrander-referendum-information.html or by contacting Sampson directly at 507-324-5741, option No. 3.

The vote will take place Nov. 3 at the school in LeRoy.