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SOLDIERS MEMORIAL: Flag ceremony completes dedication PAGE 9A
Mahtomedi School District’s tiered levy passes Mahtomedi Public Schools district voters passed the tiered levy on the ballot Nov. 6. Fifty-five percent of voters checked yes and 45 percent checked no to the district’s request for more funding. The 10-year levy is tiered, which means the amount increases every three years to keep up with increasing costs, explained Finance Director Bill Menozzi. The levy increases the voter-approved amount per student by about $275 in 2019, 2022 and 2025. The current voter-approved amount is $744. It will be $1,570 per student in 2025. For an average market value $350,000 home, annual taxes will increase by about $159 every three years. The levy will provide the district with about $1 million to offset state funding that does not keep up with inflation. The referendum levy is one piece of the district taxes. The district also currently has a debt levy and capital projects levy. The district put a levy on the ballot because it is facing a financial deficit. Several difficult budget cuts were made this spring and the impacts are felt this school year, including waiting to replace the retiring Wildwood Elementary principal in order to keep class sizes lower. The passage of the levy will guide the work in the district’s budgeting process. Mahtomedi will use the levy guiding principles established by the school board to reduce class sizes, enhance academic programming, strengthen the safety and security of its buildings, and build financial stability through deficit reduction. Superintendent Barb Duffrin shared the following about the passage of the levy request: “We are incredibly grateful for our community’s support. Parents, staff, and community members worked tirelessly to ensure that voters had factual information about our levy request. We are eager to explore what is next for our students and school community. We have a passionate, engaged community, and regardless of each individual’s vote on the levy, I believe we can work together. As a community, we also have an opportunity to come together and advocate at the state Legislature for increased education funding for our public schools.” Sara Marie Moore
Damaged dome remains closed, maybe for good BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
VADNAIS HEIGHTS — Seven months after the sports dome deflated from a heavy spring snow, it remains empty and unused as the county determines its fate. The April storm damaged the fabric, lighting and sprinkler system of the dome, which is county owned. Parks and Recreation Director Mark McCabe said an assessment was done to determine the extent of the damage and the county is working through its insurance carrier to settle a claim. The dome was projected to bring in revenue of $630,000 in 2018 rental
fees, according to McCabe, but sits idle while the hockey facility next door hums with activity. The White Bear Lake soccer association was one of several sports clubs to call the dome home. Soccer mom Alison Bloomquist said her three children have been playing at the Vadnais Sports Dome for more than four years. "We were disheartened when the dome collapsed, as that meant we had to scramble for alternative practice locations," she said. "The teams made do as we thought it was a short-term problem. It was devastating to find out in late August that the dome still wasn't fixed and then even SEE SPORTS DOME, PAGE 8A
FILE | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The sports dome collapsed in a snowstorm last April. It has been temporarily inflated for insurance adjusters, but will be dismantled by end of year.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Family friendly yoga session Dozens of children and adults reach out to each other for some extra balance as they practice yoga under the mood lighting in the temporary studio in the gymnasium at White Bear Lake Area High School South Campus during the Family Yoga Day event Saturday morning, Nov. 10. All proceeds from the event benefit H2O for Life.
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