The inside story on Minnetrista local issues: This blog is to inform citizens and give them a perspective on matters of importance in Minnetrista, MN. Opinions posted here are my own and do not reflect official positions of any public body or official.
If you’re in the Westonka school district there’s a whopper of a reason to get to the polls on Tuesday, November 7: Nearly $200 MILLION DOLLARS of debt, which includes MORE THAN $77 MILLION DOLLARS in interest alone on the new facilities $93.4M bond question #2.
Property taxes will be rising, regardless of the Westonka referendum, given both Minnetrista and Mound have indicated double digit percentage increases for their 2024 tax levies.
Also on the ballot are four school board seats. There is only one “parent endorsed” candidate on the Westonka ballot, endorsed by the Minnesota Parents Alliance in their voter guide. Voters do not need to cast four votes if they don’t support four candidates. Voters may cast just one vote for school board if they wish and their ballot will still be valid and counted.
GET OUT AND VOTE! Tuesday, November 7 Polls are open 7am to 8pm:
Westonka Educational Service Center, 5901 Sunnyfield Road E, Minnetrista, for voters in Independence P-01, Minnetrista P-1, Mound P-1, Mound P-2 and Orono P-03.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2451 Fairview Lane, Mound, for voters in Minnetrista P-4, Mound P-3, Mound P-4, Shorewood P-1 and Spring Park P-01.
Use the pollfinder if you’re unsure of your precinct.
Why is it, when the MAJORITY of the proposed Westonka Schools’ bond is allocated for a high school remodel, the district’s description has the high school remodel listed as the last of three priorities? It lists safety/security first, misleading voters to think safety is the primary purpose of the bond. The MAJORITY of the bond is for a high school remodel, not safety and not maintenance.
Voters are being intentionally misled to believe the bond is all about safety and security. Who wouldn’t want to keep kids safe, right? See below the “Yes Westonka” (independent political committee promoting the bond) graphic from Facebook yesterday:
Did I mention this is a total of over $170 MILLION DOLLARS ($93.4M plus 5% interest for 25 years) district taxpayers will be paying back? ‘Yes Westonka’ doesn’t tell you that though. The tax calculator the district provides only calculates the first year’s property tax increase on a property, neglecting to mention it will go up, more than doubling by year nine!
Voters think they will be paying back $93.4M but in reality will be paying back over $170M.
Even the approved language that will be on the ballot buries, at the very end, what the majority of the bond is allocated for:
“Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 277 (Westonka Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $93,400,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances and other safety and security improvements at all school sites and facilities; districtwide deferred maintenance projects, including replacement of boilers, piping and electrical systems; the redesign,renovation and equipping of academic and activity spaces at the Mound Westonka High School site and facility; and the reconstruction and repair of athletic fields, tennis courts and track?“
If the school district wants to ask property owners to hand over millions of dollars, there is an obligation to tell voters the primary purpose of the bond and what the total increase in property taxes would be over its 25 years. That transparency, however, would likely jeopardize the election.
These underhanded strategies to intentionally mislead voters would never be tolerated if perpetrated by an individual or private sector corporation but for the Westonka school district it’s business as usual.
The district knows they have to hide the purpose and true cost of this bond referendum from the voters if they want it to pass. VOTE NO! STOP THE CON.
Early voting begins Friday, September 22 in Suite A of the Educational Service Center, 5901 Sunnyfield Rd. E., Minnetrista, MN. Go to the pollfinder to find out where to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7.
Minnetrista Governance Blog 