The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District, now facing statutory operating debt, is once again asking voter approval for an operating levy.
Voters defeated a two-question referendum in early December by an 18-vote margin. The first proposal asked for $500 per pupil over a 10-year period. The second request was for $100 per pupil over 10 years.
This proposal is requesting $550 per pupil over an eight-year period; 910 students are currently enrolled in the district.
The election will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the district's four polling sites: WHA School, which includes the Hubbard County townships of Lakeport and Steamboat River; Akeley Regional Community Center (ARCC), which includes Akeley city and Thorpe, Mantrap, Akeley, White Oak and Badoura townships; Hackensack and Onigum.
In the last election, 71 voters casting ballots at the ARCC voted in favor of the proposal, 241 in opposition. In Hackensack, 237 said yes, 372 no. Walker area voters cast 674 ballots in favor, 396 against. In Onigum, 10 voters approved the measure; one was against.
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In October, the district declared itself in statutory operating debt, with a fund balance deficit of $587,940 or 6.78 percent of the current budget.
Public information sessions on the referendum have been scheduled, including a 1 p.m. forum Sunday, Jan. 20 at Akeley First Lutheran Church. A session will be held at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Hackensack Senior Center.
The Walker Area Community Center will be the site for discussion at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.
If the referendum gains voter approval, the owner of property with a market value of $140,000 would see an increase of $90 in property taxes in 2009. Taxes for a $200,000 property would be increased by $129 and $258 for property with a $400,000 market value.
Absentee ballots are available at the WHA School from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by calling 218-547-4206. Application forms are also online at www.wha.k12.mn.us .
A written request to obtain an absentee ballot can by mailed to ISD 113, PO Box 4000,Walker, MN 56484.
Written requests must contain voter's name and residential address, which election the request is for, reason for voting absentee, voter's signature and date and voter's date of birth.
