Local school districts approve operating levies, new school board members to fill vacancies in Tuesday’s election

Local school districts in our KAUS listening area that had operating levies on the ballot for Tuesday’s election included Albert Lea Public Schools, who were asking voters to renew an existing property tax levy of $581 per student to help with funding for the district and to avoid a $2 million budget cut.  The request was approved on a vote of 2,405 yes to 1,256 no. 

Voters in the Hayfield School District decided Tuesday whether to increase the district’s general education revenue by $562 per pupil, with a portion of the proposed new authorization replacing the existing referendum revenue authorization of $551 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2021.  The measure was approved by a vote of 394 yes to 179 no. 

Lyle School District #497 held a special election Tuesday to fill a school board seat vacancy.  Janelle Wollenburg was the only candidate to file for the position, and she received 31 votes in Tuesday’s election.