Houston citizens comment on building referendum

The public showed up to comment and ask questions about the upcoming building referendum at the Houston School Board’s June 29 meeting. Before the public comment period, Vice chairman Josh Norlien (Chairwoman Mimi Carlson was absent) advised the public that the board would not be responding to the comments at that meeting and that there was a time limit of three minutes for each speaker.

Bruce Johnson, who has lived in the district for 20 years, shared his experience in the department of education and asked what the enrollment projections were for the coming years. He said he’d used the tax calculator on the school website and claimed paying the increase in taxes for one year would eat up his increases in his teacher retirement for seven years. Johnson noted that he wasn’t even aware of the proposed referendum until he recently received a mailing.

Marlene Schultz said she’d attended the recent open house and commented that there were 12 items included in the referendum. She asked that everyone focus on the needs and not the wants or wishes on the list. In her opinion, the elementary school had more needs than the high school.

Larry Gaustad, who graduated from Houston in 1970 in the biggest class ever at Houston, pointed out that graduation numbers appear to be low (in the mid-20s) for the future. He felt the expensive referendum was unneeded for such a small school; he asked if any portion of it would be paid by the state. Gaustad reminded the board that the taxpayers of the retirement town would be “facing the burden” and not the renters. He also questioned the advisability of opening of early absentee voting when all the facts and figures have not yet been presented.

Dan Kildahl shared how much taxes had gone up in neighboring Rushford and LaCrescent due to building and pointed out the expenses farmers already faced with fertilizer and seeds high in cost while the corn prices were low.

Joe Twaiten, class of 1939, commented on how much taxes had already gone up this year in Houston. He suggested the board “put on fundraisers rather than taxing people to death!” He stated that taxes in Rushford are only half of what they are in Houston right now.

John Haines asked, “Aren’t we going a bridge too far? At $30 million?”

Mike Laufenberg asked why the school purchased two more buildings. He pointed out that the new plans did not add one new classroom and asked people to “really consider this wish list turned into a reality.” Laufenberg asked exactly what the school’s financial situation was.

An audience member asked why the online tax calculator asked for the market value of property rather than the assessed value on which taxes are calculated.

It was clarified that only people who live in the school district will be allowed to vote.

The school board will be having a special meeting July 20; at this time there will be more time allotted for questions from the public. At this meeting, Superintendent Mary Morem will share the education commissioners’ review and comment on the proposed referendum.

Early absentee voting for district residents was approved and has already opened. Voters can vote early in person at the district office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can request a ballot online. Physical voting will take place on August 8 at the Hurricane Hub (former Catholic Church); this is a change from the previously selected polling place.

Regular business

In regular business, the board:

• Approved private event rental fees for facilities for non-community or student related groups of $50 and proof of insurance;

• Approved the TDE (teacher development evaluation) which is Marzano-based;

• Heard information regarding the profile of a learner and the report card of redefining readiness from Morem;

• Gratefully accepted donations totaling $12,154.40;

• Agreed to the lease with Hoedown for athletic fields;

• Approved MSBA and Southeast Services Co-op membership renewals;

• Approved the 10-year long term facility maintenance plan;

• Approved the adjusted 2022-2023 budget and the proposed 2023-2024 budget with little discussion;

• Received the staff development plan and were asked to review it as well as the staff, student, and parent handbooks which are online for future approval;

• Acknowledged the retirement of elementary principal Richard Bartz; Morem called him a “classy person,” truly a community member who always wanted what was best for the students. She quoted Bartz who often said, “It’ll be okay; this will be okay too.”

The next Houston School Board meeting will be July 20 at 6 p.m. in the high school media center. The public is welcome to attend.