By Lori EhdeWith the Nov. 2 General Elections less than two weeks away, the Luverne School District is stepping up efforts to educate the public about the referendum question on the ballot.An informational meeting has been scheduled to explain the referendum to the public and to provide a forum for questions and answers.It will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, in the high school library.Meanwhile, School Board members, district administration and staff have been trying to put out the message that the district needs money."This operating referendum is very important," Superintendent Vince Schaefer said at the Thursday, Oct. 14, School Board meeting.If district residents don’t vote "yes" to the referendum question on the ballot, Schaefer said budget cuts will be painful.All day every day kindergarten may be cut, technology will fall behind, fees will increase, programs will be eliminated, course offerings will be reduced and there will be fewer teachers for larger classes."And that’s just the start of it," Schaefer said.Declining enrollment and increasing expenses, combined with three years of flat-lined state funding, are forcing many districts to ask their residents for money.Out of 343 districts in Minnesota, 299 are requesting operating referendums. "This really indicates, in general, schools are underfunded," Schaefer said.The Luverne School District is asking for a $455 per pupil operating referendum, which would bring an estimated $603,995 to the district in operating funds for up to 10 years.The state would match 48 percent of that amount, and 52 percent would be paid by residents in the district.District residents received a mailer last week outlining details about the proposed referendum.In addition to attending Monday’s informational meeting, voters can learn more on the district’s Web site, www.isd2184.net.The "Property Tax Information Site" button on the district home page allows residents to calculate to the penny how much their property taxes would increase with the referendum in place.In general, the referendum would increase property taxes $1.47 per $1,000 of a property’s total market value. A property valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $147 per year.Those who don’t own property wouldn’t be affected by the referendum. For farm property owners, the referendum affects only the house, garage and one acre, just as it would a city property owner. The rest of the farmland is exempt.