On Oct. 28, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce board of directors unanimously approved a recommendation to support the Moorhead Area Public Schools’ Nov. 2 operating levy referendum.
On Oct. 14, the Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee had invited Dr. Lynne Kovash, superintendent, and Wayne Kazmierczak, assistant superintendent, to address the committee about the district’s operating levy referendum.
Some of the points the Public Affairs Committee considered in formulating the recommendation were:
• Education as a business has a direct economic impact, as well as a significant impact on economic development for Moorhead, Clay County and the metropolitan area.
• Youth are an important investment. K-12 education is an important feeder into the area workforce.
• Moorhead School District’s expense structure is below average and would continue to be, should the levy referendum pass.
• Moorhead School District has engaged in proactive expense management in recent years.
• Moorhead School District has a focus on increasing student outcomes and quality of education.
• The state of Minnesota has not taken action to maintain state support for education.
• Moorhead School District works collaboratively with other school districts, specifically Fargo and West Fargo.
• Border Cities legislation in Minnesota would offset the tax impact to commercial and industrial businesses in Moorhead and Dilworth.
Moorhead School District voters will have an opportunity to vote Nov. 2, 2010, on an operating levy referendum that, if approved, will provide the school district $850 per pupil in additional funds each year for the next seven years beginning with the 2011-12 school year.
