Lewiston-Altura Public Schools
Referendum Planning Update | June 2024
Message from the School Board
Greetings Lewiston-Altura Public Schools Community –
Welcome to the first edition of the Referendum Planning eNewsletter. We will send this additional form of communication to all staff members and families as we continue to move through our planning process. The goal of the publication is to ensure all stakeholders have access to the latest information.
On Monday, June 10, the Lewiston-Altura board authorized the submittal of a Review and Comment to the Minnesota Department of Education for a potential November 5, 2024 operating levy and bond referendum. We were unsuccessful in our referendum request during the November 2023 election. However, our budget and building needs do not go away. Lewiston-Altura Public Schools continues to face financial and facilities challenges.
To move forward with a plan that meets the needs of all residents, the district followed up with a post 2023 referendum survey to ask residents what is most important in our schools and for our community. We received an impressive response and direct feedback on how to move forward. We listened and have been hard at work with administration and a community taskforce these last few months on a revised plan to move Lewiston-Altura Public Schools forward.
We have increased communications and transparency through more editions of News from the Nest and other communications; we updated the website and increased the frequency of Facebook postings highlighting student success; we started Beverages with the School Board to meet community members casually for conversation about the schools; and we are meeting with leaders from SILO and St. John's to forge a relationship to support all local children in PreK-12 education. The Cardinal Foundation has also been formed to boost community pride and supplement the public-school budget by funneling donations directly to classrooms through mini-grants.
It is our mission to do whatever we can to improve both our budget and buildings to create safe, secure and productive environments for our students and staff. If the district elects to move forward with an operating levy and building bond this November, the board anticipates passing an official bond resolution at its July 8 board meeting.
Please stay tuned for updates! Together we are “Cardinal Strong”!
The Lewiston-Altura School Board
Celebrating the Class of 2024
The Class of 2024 had 63 students participate in commencement.
Reflecting on the past and focused on the future.
Diplomas in hand; time to celebrate with family & friends!
Budget Adjustments Approved for 2024-25 School Year
District leaders in Lewiston-Altura Public Schools were tasked this past year with making $771,000 in budget adjustments (reductions and fee increases) for the 2024-25 school year. These adjustments are necessary to address the district’s budget deficit due to rising costs, declining enrollment, and state funding that has not kept pace with inflation.
At their June 10, 2024, meeting, the L-A School Board adopted the district’s budget for fiscal year 2025 which included expenditures adjustments in staff, extra-curricular activities and bus routes and revenue increases in activity fees, booster club donations and the sale of land. For more information and a detailed list of adjustments, download the Did You Know? Budget document below.
Potential Levy Request Would Stabilize Budget & Reduce Future Cuts
The district’s current voter-approved operating levy of $52 per pupil unit (/PU) is due to expire in fiscal year 2026. The Lewiston-Altura Public Schools currently has a budget deficit due to rising costs, declining enrollment, and state funding that has not kept pace with inflation. The failed November 2023 operating levy was proposed to help with this deficit.
As enrollment declines, the district receives less revenue from the state to maintain curriculum, course offerings and staff. Roughly $255,000 of annual operational savings has been realized by closing the Altura building and downsizing to two school sites. However, additional funds are still needed to adequately provide quality education, maintain current opportunities for students, and reduce future budget cuts.
Facilities Needs Continue, Board Explores Proposing a Building Bond in Nov. 2024
The administration, school board and community taskforce reviewed post-referendum feedback, continuing facilities needs in the school district, and new feedback from community meetings in May 2024 as data points for a revised building bond. The potential bond referendum proposal is $19.95M (including bond costs) and is focused in three areas for both the elementary and high school:
- Safety & Security
- Aging Infrastructure & Worn Finishes
- Outdated Educational Spaces
A successful bond referendum will not only address high priority needs but also help the operating budget by reducing annual maintenance and operating costs, allowing the district to re-direct the savings to student programming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About L-A Public Schools
What are some indications of Student Success in the District?
L-A Students in Grades 3-6 score above state averages in MCA Reading and Math and higher than many neighboring districts (Reading: 58% L-A / 52% State and Math: 57% L-A / 51% State). Students at L-A High School can access rigorous courses in the schools via concurrent enrollment, where they are gaining college-level learning – and credit (for free) - and in Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PESO), both while enrolled in high school. The students at L-A Public Schools continue to exceed the state graduation rate average, excel statewide in FFA, and regionally in Art, Band/Choir, and Athletics.
What is the enrollment forecast for the District?
Currently at 559 K-12 students, ISD 857's total enrollment is projected to decline by roughly 14 percent to 483 students over the next 5 years but stabilize in fiscal year 2030. This is reflected by the decrease in birth rates in Lewiston, Altura, and surrounding communities. In 2023, the birth-to-4-year-olds census reported 201 children, down 93 children from 1994 where 294 children were reported. Unfortunately, Lewiston-Altura Public Schools are not alone in experiencing this loss as 65 percent of MN Public Schools had declining enrollment in 2022 compared to 2019.
What is the current enrollment in L-A Public Schools?
In 2022-23, there were 729 resident students in the school district attendance area. The District served 443 of these resident students; the remaining students chose local private/parochial schools, other public schools, or homeschool. L-A Public schools gained 151 students from parents/families choosing to open enroll their students from neighboring school districts.
What is the District doing to increase enrollment?
The school district is employing a variety of strategies to recruit and retain students. On March 26, the school district held Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-25 school year. By implementing a variety of communications, 36 of 38 kindergarten age-eligible current resident students were registered. Elementary school staff members have plans in place to pursue the remaining two families. Please note, this does not include potential kindergarten student families who already have older siblings enrolled in local private schools or families who have informed L-A Public Schools of their intention to enroll their incoming kindergarten student in private school.
Additionally, the school district is increasing communications with staff, parents, and the greater community for greater transparency specifically in the areas around academic excellence, student success and financial management.
What is the District doing to increase awareness about our schools?
- Continued publication of News from the Nest (printed and mailed school district newsletter for all residents).
- Beverages with the School Board (monthly meet and greet opportunity to talk to school board members).
- Public and Private Schools board member discussions to build relationships.
- “Did You Know?” articles, social posts, and documents.
- Cardinal Strong eNewsletter is sent monthly to all enrolled families with opportunities for alumni and community to register to receive as well.
During the 2024-25 school year, the school district will research, plan, and implement a full enrollment and marketing plan for the school district.
Will a successful operating levy prevent future budget adjustments?
The recent post-referendum survey shows support of an operating levy amount of $760 per pupil unit. If the district proposes an operating levy for this amount in a November 2024 election, and it is successful, it will help but unfortunately not be enough to prevent budget adjustments. The district is forecasting that with these additional dollars it will likely still need to make budget adjustments in future years.