Dist. 191 Levy Extension Passes By a Landslide

Good news for the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District: Voters resoundingly approved a measure that will renew an existing operational levy for the next decade. The referendum passed with 67.7 percent approval.

As of 11:30 p.m. the unofficial tally stood at 4280 votes for yes. Only 2046 voted against the levy renewal — about 32 percent of all ballots cast. 

The levy generates about $10 million annually for basic, day-to-day expenses. It was originally approved in 2002. At the time, the levy was set to expire in 2013. Because of Tuesday's vote, the levy will continue for another 10 year term. 

The election of 2011 stands in marked contrast to 2007, when a similar proposal passed by a mere330 votes. 

However, this sweeping victory is not entirely unexpected. Tuesday's election confirms a study done over the summer that revealed a drastic change in how residents perceive the district — for the better.

"Things are up right across the board. In comparison to 2007 there have been some fundamental increases in approval and general trust in the district," said Bill Morris, of Decision Resources, a consulting firm that surveyed voter attitudes in the district prior to this election.

Over August, Decision Resources polled 400 randomly selected housholds. It found that the district's image had radically improved over the last four years, with a particular increase in the Board of Education's popularity. In 2007, the board had an approval rating of 36 percent, with 34 percent of respondents expressing outright dissatisfaction.

By 2011, 58 percent of the respondents viewed the board favorably. Only 25 percent disapproved of the sitting board.

"That has changed strikingly. I've never seen a recovery like that," Morris told the board when he presented the firm's findings on Oct. 13.

On a whole, 81 rated the district as 'good' to 'excellent,' while just 13 percent felt the district's performance was 'fair' or 'poor.' The majority — 56 percent — felt that ISD 191 was spending tax money efficiently and effectively. 

On the other hand, many of those surveyed felt the district's financial well-being was in peril and would worsen as time went on. About 40 percent felt that ISD 191's financial outlook would worsen in the coming years, while 17 felt it would improve. About 34 predicted that the district's financial standing would remain the same.

These findings could explain the surveyed voters' relatively tolerant view of taxation — another surprise revealed by the study.

"I don't think in the years I've worked with you I've ever use despcriptor 'benign' in terms of tax hostility, but you have a benign rating," Morris said. 

Almost 70 percent of those surveyed said they would support a referendum — figures that tracked closely with the actual results of Tuesday night.