Duluth Schools ISD 709 - Long Range Facilities Plan

Frequently Asked Questions About the Plan B Review & Comment

On October 23, Duluth School District officials said that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has issued a positive Review & Comment statement regarding Let Duluth Vote’s (LDV) Plan B. MDE’s action, which demonstrates that Plan B has met the criteria required by the State of Minnesota for a facilities construction project, opens the way for a non-binding bond referendum on Plan B in the near future. More about Plan B.

What does Minnesota Department of Education’s issuance of a positive Review & Comment statement mean?

A positive Review & Comment statement by the Education Commissioner means that the plan meets the criteria established by the state for school construction plans, and thatMDE finds that proceeding with that plan would be educationally and economically advisable. MDE also issued a positive review and comment statement for the Long Range Facilities Plan.

Did MDE compare Plan B with the current Facilities Plan?

No. A review and comment doesn’t compare plans, it analyzes one plan. State law doesn’t limit MDE to only approving one plan. Potentially, the department could approve a dozen or more plans, if each met the state’s criteria.

How are Plan B and the LRFP different?

Plan B is basically a patch and repair plan, while the Long Range Facilities Plan is a comprehensive, long term plan for the district. Based on the analysis performed by ATS&R as they assisted the District in developing the Plan B Review and Comment, there are four fundamental differences between the plans:

• Let Duluth Vote’s Plan B costs individual taxpayers more per month ($9.50 vs. $9.22 for the median-sized home in Duluth).
• Plan B does little to reduce excess space (closing 1 school versus closing 6 schools) and does little to improve educational adequacy, safety, security, and technology, or provide “greener” more efficient schools.
• Plan B defers $100 million in maintenance which will need to be paid for by taxpayers at a later date while the Long Range Facilities Plan includes deferred maintenance.
• Plan B provides less General Fund savings — $1.1 million per year vs. $5.3 million.

Did ISD 709 expect to receive a second positive approval?

The District spent over $70,000 for consultant services and hundreds of hours of staff time working with LDV members to make sure that Plan B was presented in the form that MDE requires. We expected that a significant investment such as this would improve Plan B’s chances for approval.

Does this ruling mean that Plan B is as good for students and taxpayers as the Facilities Plan?

MDE did not grade each of the plans – they only ruled on whether Plan B meets the state criteria for a facilities plan. School boards and area residents are expected to analyze the specific tax impact, educational outcomes and other factors that can be used to compare the two plans, just as they did with the Long Range Facilities Plan.

What happens next?

The district will set a date for a public hearing on Plan B and begin working with the City Clerk’s office to organize a special election. Space for polling sites must be identified and rented, polling staff hired and ballots printed.

Can a vote be held November 3rd?

No, we’re past the legal deadline for submitting questions for the November 3rd ballot. However, the District intends to put the ballot question before voters as soon as possible.

When this goes to a vote, how will the question be worded?

The wording will match what was on the petition submitted by LDV:

Shall ISD 709 be authorized to issue general obligation bonds totaling $128,000,000 to be used with an estimated $66,092,086 in bonds and investment earnings previously approved by the Board for alternative facilities to build two new middle schools and two new elementary schools; repair and remodel three high schools, one middle school, and five elementary schools; repair and expand two elementary schools; and repair and remodel “Old Central High” and the Secondary Technical Center? YES_______ NO_____

Why does Plan B go for a vote, when the Long Range Facilities Plan didn’t have to?

The supporters of Plan B used a petition process to bring the proposed bond referendum to the Board. Under state law, that question must be put to voters if the Review and Comment is approved by MDE.

Has this ever occurred before in Minnesota?

Rarely. Recently, residents in the St. Francis School District successfully petitioned their School Board for a facilities improvement plan. The residents’ referendum question was defeated by voters.

What costs will the school district be required to pay and where will this money come from?

The school district will pay the costs for holding a special election. Costs will depend upon the number of polling places and will come from the district’s General Fund, the fund used to pay teachers and fund programs. To date, Let Duluth Vote’s Plan B has cost more than $70,000 from the General Fund.

Would passage of the referendum demonstrate that Plan B is the best plan?

If the referendum passes, it demonstrates that area voters are willing to pay the tax increase proposed for the facility improvements Plan B recommends. By law, that is the only question the referendum can ask.

Will the current Long-Range Facilities Plan be put on hold while a second plan is considered?

At this point there are contractual and legal obligations related to implementation of the plan. In addition, there would be substantial costs to taxpayers if the work was stopped to wait for the results of a referendum. Work will continue during this process.

Is the School Board required to follow the results of the referendum?

The Office of the Attorney General advised the school district that any ballot question would be non-binding.

What would the School District do if the referendum passes?

As a non-binding referendum, the District would consider the results as it would all public input into the plans to determine what is in the best interest of students and taxpayers.