Ellsworth voters pass school referendum; Adrian, Worthington Successful at the Polls

Ellsworth School District residents again supported a tax increase to keep the doors of their school open.
They overwhelmingly approved a request for a new 10-year $1,779.50 per pupil operating levy. 
Of 259 ballots cast, 83 percent (216) were yes votes and 17 percent (43) were against the referendum.
“The Ellsworth School Board, administration and staff are very proud of how the Ellsworth community is supporting the Ellsworth School,” said Superintendent/Principal John Willey. 
“We couldn't be prouder.”
This is the third time in 10 years Ellsworth taxpayers have been asked to help cover an ever-widening shortfall in the district’s operating budget.
The proposed referendum (effective in 2020) replaces a 10-year $1,121 per pupil referendum passed in 2013. The 2013 referendum replaced the one passed in 2010.
Willey said district support is stronger than ever. “This ended up being one of the biggest margins of support,” he said. 
“In 2008 it was 70 percent for, 30 percent against. In 2010 it was 66 percent for, 34 percent against; in 2013 it was 77 percent for, 23 percent against.”
Ellsworth’s successful referendum vote isn’t surprising, considering discussion at an Oct. 15 public meeting.
For many, the question wasn’t whether or not they’d support it; the question was how much it would cost them and how long it would be until the next request for more money.
As a result of the referendum, taxes on an average $100,000 home in the district will increase roughly $255.
Chad Dressen said he’d rather have his taxes go up to support Ellsworth’s referendum than to pay higher taxes toward a different school.
“Our taxes are going to go up no matter what,” he said at the Oct. 15 meeting. “Vote no, and pay higher taxes in another district, or vote yes and pay higher taxes in Ellsworth.”
 
Adrian and Worthington also passed referendums
Nearby Adrian School District also passed referendum authorizations Nov. 5 that will increase taxes roughly $200 on an average home with a market value of $100,000.
Both questions on the District 511 ballot passed, with votes coming in 324 in favor and 63 against referendum revenue authorization of $379.26 per pupil. The second question asked for voters to support an additional $483 per pupil. It passed 276 to 106.
In Worthington School District, voters approved three questions on the ballot.
Question 1 asked for authority to bond up to $26.7 million for a new intermediate school for 600 fifth- and sixth-grade students. The measure passed by 136 votes, with 1,780 yes and 1,644 no.
Question 2 asked voters to approve an additional $7 million so the new building could also house the third grade. This measure passed narrowly with 1,719 yes votes and 1,700 against.
Question 3 involved refinancing the district’s $14 million debt to make it eligible for the Minnesota State Ag2School tax credit. Voters passed it 1,760 to 1,662.