FAQs

Q: Is the district’s current situation due to financial mismanagement?

A: No, there are many factors that have led to our current financial situation. Yes, mistakes were made. They were acknowledged by the previous administration and steps were taken to ensure this won't happen again. During the 2023-2024 school year, the district learned that a salary increase for staff was not included in the budget. When we ended the year, we found that expenses were higher than anticipated because of the budgeting error. Since then: 

• The district completed an audit to determine our true financial situation

• We put new reporting standards in place to make errors harder to make and to ensure any errors are caught immediately

• We hired a new, experienced business manager

• We hired a new superintendent

We now know exactly what our financial situation is, and we have a very detailed plan, which includes both becoming more efficient, as well as appropriate allocation of referendum funds, to help us achieve financial stability.

Q. Didn’t you receive money from the state legislature? Why do you need more?

A: The State of Minnesota made important new investments in preK-12 schools during the recent legislative session, but those investments only helped Byron and other school districts partly catch up from more than a decade of funding schools lower than the rate of inflation. Those investments were welcome but won't enable Byron to help all students compete and thrive in a changing world.

Q: What is the difference between an operating levy and a building bond referendum?

A: Levies are for learning, bonds are for building. When communities support an operating levy, they are providing the district general funds to use for teachers’ salaries, textbooks, co-curricular programs, transportation, computers, utilities and the general operation of the district.

On the other hand, a bond referendum provides districts dollars to make improvements to facilities and building infrastructure only. For example, bonds can be used for major construction such as renovation, building an addition, building new schools or for general building projects such as addressing deferred maintenance and ventilation deficiencies. Bonds, however, cannot be used to hire teachers, buy textbooks, or for the operation of the district such as utilities.

Q: What’s the difference between an operating levy and a capital projects levy?

A: With an operating levy, the revenue is used for general operation of the district. The revenue from an operating levy cannot be used for building construction or renovation. 

With a capital projects levy, there is a limited set of eligible purposes, including constructing, repairing and improving school buildings, technology and purchasing vehicles. Revenue from a capital projects levy cannot be used for the general operation of the district.

Q. Can I deduct the taxes paid on my State and Federal Income Taxes?

A. If you itemize deductions for federal income taxes, you may deduct all property taxes paid.

Q. How do schools impact the community?

A: According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, there is a definite correlation between school expenditures and home values in any given neighborhood. A report titled, “Using Market Valuation to Assess Public School Spending,” found that for every dollar spent on public schools in a community, home values increased $20. These findings indicate that additional school expenditures may benefit everyone in the community, whether or not those residents actually have children in the local public school system.

Q: Does increasing funding for schools have any effect on academic outcomes?

A: The most rigorous research shows that, as scholars C. Kirabo Jacson and Claudia Persico put it, “there is a strong causal relationship between increased school spending and student achievement.” To read the scholar’s review of that research, please visit https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/pam.22520. 

Q: I don't have kids in school. Why should I care about this?

A: Strong schools help support a strong and vibrant community. Local community and business leaders are active in our schools and will help guide future decisions. We are all dependent upon the outcomes of all schools, and Byron is no exception. We must educate the next generation to sustain our community.