By Teri Knight
Garofalo says No to the Levy
Pat Garofalo, District 36B representative, which represents the Dakota County region of Northfield, was in studio this morning to discuss the School Referendum. Garofalo is also the Chair of the House Education Finance committee. He’s expressed his opinion that the levy should be voted down while Superintendent Dr. Chris Richardson says that if the levy does not pass, class sizes could be reduced and programs dropped. Garofalo comments that without knowing what the new Teachers Union contract will be, it’s difficult for anyone to say how this money will be spent. Also, the district has the option of going back to the voters in a future election and renewing the existing levy, renewing the Per Pupil funding formula that passed in previous elections. The Northfield School District and the local Teachers Union have yet to reach a contract agreement. To this, Garofalo says that it’s a common tactic, not just in Northfield, but around the state, that the teachers unions wait until after the levy vote to see how much money they can negotiate for. Last session, Gov. Dayton and the state legislature increased education funding by over $650 million dollars. Northfield will see a $397 per pupil increase in state and local funding between the 2011 budget and the 2013 budget.
Time to ask some questions…
You’ll have a chance to ask Superintendent Dr. Chris Richardson about the school levy. The League of Women Voters invites you to the Hideaway tonight at 7 o’clock. Richardson will be on hand to discuss the reasoning behind the School Board’s decision to ask for a new 10-year levy from voters. The Northfield School District is one of 133 districts in the state that will be asking taxpayers for a levy increase this year.
Pay up – it’s Property Tax day
Today’s the day to pay the second half of your 2011 property taxes. Payments may be mailed or paid in person at the Rice County Government Services Building in Faribault or at the Northfield Satellite Office City Hall. You can also pay online at the Rice County website.
Parking will be a premium this week
If you park downtown, especially on the north end of Division Street, this week will challenging. The parking lot behind the Archer House is being reconstructed and repaved. It’ll be closed at least through Thursday.
Fashion Bug says Bye bye
The Fashion Bug in Dundas is closing after more than 20 years in business. A representative of Charming Shoppes, Inc., the parent company of Fashion Bug which also owns Catherines and Lane Bryant, said they’ll be closing 240 stores that have been unprofitable. The Fashion Bug’s nine employees will be out of a job once the merchandise is sold. The store in Apple Valley will remain open.
The Northfield United Way is seeking your help…
The Northfield Area United Way is kicking off their campaign! Executive Director, Betsy Spethmann, says there are 2 goals for this year, to increase giving by $50,000 and to recruit 500 new donors. Thirty one programs in our community were given grants, all selected by volunteer community members who sat on allocation panels to hear the presentations and help determine where the money would go. Spethmann says this year, the theme is “How do YOU live United”, their brochure shares the faces and stories of the local people United Way has affected. Each United Way is a separate entity that serves their local communities. Spethmann says that 90% of the households are touched in one way or another by the United Way. If you work outside of the area but give at work, you can make a designation on your form to make sure the money goes to the Northfield area. You can also donate online at northfieldunitedway.org.
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