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Lawmakers react Ward was surprised, Koering wasn't Associate Editor Among the most interested observers of Tuesday's operating levy referendums were the Brainerd lakes area's lawmakers.
Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, said he wasn't surprised Brainerd School District voters rejected the referendum while Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, said he was taken aback.
"I guess my reaction is I'm not real surprised," Koering said. "I'm out and about talking to my constituents almost on a daily basis. I think I have a pretty good feel for what people are thinking. I could just tell that the momentum was certainly not going in the direction of the referendum."
Koering, a second-term legislator, said he sees the defeat of referendums in the Crosby-Ironton and Brainerd school districts as a clear message that schools are not being funded properly.
"So this next session we're going to have to take a hard look at how we're funding education and how the funding is in the future," he said.
The problem, he said, is that property taxes, which would have funded the referendums, are not based on an ability to pay.
Koering said it was the school district's decision to ask for a substantial increase in per-pupil aid rather than a more modest increase.
"The way I go about things in the Legislature, certainly I ask for a whole loaf. If I come home with half a loaf, it's better than no loaf at all," he said. "I would just say I hope this sends a message to all the legislators that there's a problem. I would just point out that Minnesota is responsible for the education of our children and the funding that goes with it."
Koering sidestepped a question about how he voted on the referendum.
"That's why they have curtains on voting booths," he said.
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, a former teacher, was pleased with the turnout but disappointed and extremely surprised at the result of the Brainerd School District.
"I feel that the impact of both the Brainerd and Crosby school referendums will change the face of education in both of those districts," Ward said.
He noted that a study group was designated to review school funding during the last legislative session.
"That group recently started its work, looking closely at how to provide education funding that is adequate, timely and fair," Ward said. "I think we need to take a look at a system that obviously, in my opinion, is none of those."
Asked if it was possible this study might just gather dust on a book shelf, Ward replied in the negative.
"There are a number of us that won't let that happen ... and I'm one of them," he said.
Education, Ward said, was one of the passions that made him want to run for the Legislature and it's one of several state systems that need help including transportation and health care. He criticized the governor for vetoing bills and a Senate-House Conference Committee that "worked over" a more favorable House education bill.
Ward voted for the Brainerd School District referendum and said its failure made Wednesday a very difficult day.
"It's a very difficult situation because it affects so many people's lives," Ward said. "It really affects and impacts on the children."
Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, was just returning home from an out-of-state vacation visiting his daughter and said he wasn't completely up to speed on details of the Pierz School District's successful operating levy referendum. A resident of the Royalton School District, Doty didn't vote on any referendum issue.
"The Legislature needs to look at all school funding formulas," Doty said. "Times have changed. Rural districts are punished greatly now by the increase in land valuation."
Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, also said the Legislature would have to look at school funding. There were no referendums in his District 4B but the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District will vote on one on Dec. 4. The Walker district is already in statutory operating debt, he said. The district is plagued with declining enrollment and considerable special education costs.
"If people ask me, I'll tell them to vote for it," he said.
He blamed political posturing from preventing more money from being appropriated for education.
Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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