Skip to main content

'Vote Yes' campaign organizes for Luverne School District building referendum

By
Mavis Fodness

A grassroots committee in support of the Luverne School Board’s plan to expand and upgrade its aging school facilities is currently organizing.
Local attorney Ben Vander Kooi updated board members about the committee’s intentions during their meeting Thursday evening, Sept. 14.
He said a volunteer steering committee has met twice and will launch a six-week “Vote Yes” campaign after Labor Day.
The $30 million referendum vote is Nov. 7, the same day as the nation’s general elections.
“We have some good people who will do a lot of hard work over the next six weeks to help get this thing passed,” Vander Kooi said.
The committee will mainly conduct phone calls urging voters to vote yes for both questions on the ballot. Letters will also be sent and will highlight a message to ag landowners.
“It’s really important for farmers to know they are not paying the full burden of this because of the tax credits out there,” Vander Kooi added.
In their last session, state legislators passed into law the Ag2School 40-percent tax credit that creates a more even levy for facility improvements in districts whose levy base consists of 75 percent or more in ag land.
“We fit nicely in that tax credit,” Vander Kooi said after the meeting.
Based on the committee’s preliminary research, VanderKooi said many local landowners are not aware of the tax credit open to districts conducting referendums this fall. He hopes the committee will be able to educate voters about the Ag2School tax credit opportunity.
For Luverne’s $30 million project, the district would be eligible for $8 million in Ag2School credits if voters approve both referendum questions.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.