By Maranda Emig
Spring Valley, MN
My name is Maranda Emig and I am currently on the Kingsland School Board, but I am writing this as a parent and private citizen. I plan on voting Yes for the Operating Levy because of Kingsland staff and my children. When I remember my high school experience, I remember the people I interacted with and how they made me feel. I want that for my kids. I want them to experience many different teachers and for those teachers to open doors in my child’s understanding of the world. They should feel challenged, happy, disappointed, sad, angry, elated, and learn how to deal with all of those highs and lows in life. Teachers and staff are at the heart of any school. These are the people that help our children grow even when they don’t want to be students. I want to show teachers and staff support for what they do. This Operating Levy is used to pay for the day-to-day expenses like salaries for staff. The current levy is expiring soon, and it is important to make sure that a new operating levy is approved to keep school programs running. We all have that opportunity on November 5, 2019.
I have heard many say they cannot vote for something that will put a huge burden on farmers. There is a document from the MN House Research Department called Property Tax 101 that helps state in layman’s terms what types of properties pay state tax and referendum levy taxes: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssptvart.pdf.
Farmers will pay for agricultural homesteads and not agricultural acreage. Don’t take my word for it, look for yourself. Please take the time to make an informed decision and vote on November 5, 2019.
Thank you for your time.