H-BC voters support levy renewal, inflationary increase

Voters in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District supported two questions on a ballot in the Nov. 2 special election.
The first question asked voters to renew the current $897.15 per pupil operating levy for the next 10 years. The question passed with 210 (80.77 percent) voting in favor and 50 (19.23 percent) against.
The second question asked for an annual inflationary increase to the current operating levy. It also passed by a vote of 180 (69.5 percent) in favor and 79 (30.5 percent) against.
Harley Fransman, who was appointed to the school board earlier this year due to a vacancy, was elected to finish the term that expires in 2022. Fransman received 238 votes (95.20 percent) with 12 write-in votes cast.
The operating levy generates about $300,000 for district expenses each year. An inflationary factor, on the average, would add about 1 to 2 percent annually to the renewed levy that expires in 2032.
“I am very pleased with the overwhelming voter support of the operating referendum renewal and added inflationary increase,” said school board chairman Arlyn Gehrke.
“The continued loyalty and support of the Hills-Beaver Creek District residents toward our H-BC students is much appreciated.”
About 20 percent of the district’s 1,219 registered voters cast ballots at one of two precincts open for the special election.
According to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office, five eligible voters requested ballots prior to the Nov. 2 election.
H-BC was one of 65 school districts to conduct special elections on Nov. 2 asking for voter-approved funding in the form of an operating levy, bond referendums or capital project levy requests.
Statewide, voters approved 32 out of 46 (79 percent) operating levy requests, of which 24 out of the 38 (63 percent) rural school districts received voter approval to renew or increase. One hundred percent (eight out of eight) of the metro districts needing voter approval to renew or increase a current levy of the metro districts receiving voter approval, according to the Minnesota Rural Education Association.