Posted at: 11/03/2009 2:53 PM
By: Becky Nahm

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57 School Districts Ask Voters for Funding

Minnesota school districts are promising deep budget cuts if voters don't approve their funding requests.

Fifty-seven districts have questions on the ballot, and for some, a yes vote won't prevent cuts.

The state's largest district, Anoka-Hennepin, said it plans to cut $18 million from its budget even if voters approve its levy.

The Centennial School District wants to increase annual property taxes by $130 on a $200,000 home. Even with that increase, it said it will need to cut up to $2 million.

The Spring Lake Park District is putting two questions to voters. The first would not raise taxes. The second would, by about $100 a year on a $200,000 home.

If both questions fail, the district will be forced to cut $3 million next year, or about 6 percent of its budget.

District officials said the cuts would likely result in teacher layoffs and fewer bus routes.