Paul...RE: the Cornell study...Given the two alternatives that actually appear on the ballot--pass both questions and Hilltop stays open with 2 x its current enrollment, or fail Question 2 and lose the community's school all together--you've made an excellent case for voting yes-yes.

“More” Frequently Asked Questions

What will question #1 approval mean for our school district?

Quite simply, we will be able to continue doing what we are doing now. More specifically, we will not have to eliminate up to five (5) teaching positions and increase class sizes. We will not need to eliminate other programs and services such as restricting bussing to outside of 2 miles from school, consider eliminating all-day-everyday-kindergarten and elective classes like AP classes and co-curricular activities. With the passage of Question #1 we will not need to revisit the 4-day school week. Approval of Question #1enables the counting of votes for Question #2. If question #1 fails, Question #2 cannot be counted and will thus fail as well.

What will Question #2 approval provide for our schools?

With the passage of Question #2 we will be an educational leader in the region. Hilltop Elementary will remain open and be the location of our 4th and 5th grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program. Passage of question #2 will save the school district the expense ($40,000 - $50,000 per year) of maintaining a closed school.

If I live in the country and have many acres of land, how does the levy affect me?

Anyone owning property in the school district will only be levied on the value of their house, garage and one acre of land. This is much less levy impact than what is levied on a building bond levy. You can visit our school district web page (www.isd2397.org) and use the tax calculator to get a more accurate idea of your exact levy.

What will it cost to close Hilltop Elementary School?

We would not know the exact costs of closing Hilltop until we went through a year with it closed. Examining our “typical” costs that will remain even if we close Hilltop, we would have to spend $40,000 - $50,000 per year to keep the building closed. Expenses would include, heating the building at a minimum temperature of 45 – 60 degrees, insurance, snow removal, lawn care, and general maintenance. Additionally, we would lose the use of a valuable asset of the School District and the Henderson community.

Your vote is very important and does count - Our past two referendums have been determined by less than 30 votes each time.

If you have any questions, you can contact: The Le Sueur – Henderson School District Office at 507-665-4600, or email us at rhanson@isd2397.org.

The Le Sueur – Henderson School District Referendum Information Committee Henry Endres – hendres@isd2397.org Amber Seaver – aseaver@isd2397.org Sue Rame – srame@isd2397.org

REMEMBER TO VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

This vote is extremely important. The results will determine the path of our school district’s future.

Passage of both Question #1 & #2 of this operating levy will allow us to continue the programs we currently have as well as make a positive investment in the future of our school district and communities.

Failure of the questions will require significant cuts or elimination of services and programs our schools have been able to provide.

Remember there are two questions to vote on.

There are two matters to decide. The approval of Question #1 will allow our school district to continue the programs we currently offer, maintain smaller, balanced class sizes, keep elective classes and continue all day every day kindergarten. The teaching staff will not be reduced and co-curricular activities will be offered as they presently are.

Approval of Questions #2 will allow us to keep all of our facilities open and make an investment as a regional leader with our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education program.

Where do I vote?

Precinct 1
Le Sueur City Hall
203 S. 2nd Street
Le Sueur, MN 56058

Precinct 2
The Henderson Roadhaus
(Formerly the Wild's Edge)
518 Main Street
Henderson, MN 56044

Your vote is very important and does count. Our past two referendums have been determined by less than 30 votes each time. Every vote counts.

If you have any questions, you can contact:

The Le Sueur – Henderson School District Office at 507-665-4600, or email us at rhanson@isd2397.org.

The Le Sueur – Henderson School District Referendum Information Committee: Henry Endres – hendres@isd2397.org Amber Seaver – aseaver@isd2397.org Sue Rame – srame@isd2397.org

Todd- the only way this will truly be a "YES-YES" is if Hilltop can stay K-5.

Whether or not the referendum is passed, part of Hilltop will be lost if it turns into a 4th and 5th grade school. Hilltop is a great school as is. Adding technology and a STEM based curriculum will enhance that.

If more, “2x”, the enrollment is what you are looking for, invite students from grades K-5 to attend Hilltop and take part in the STEM program. The district would be spending money on busing 4th & 5th grade students. It is just as possible to spend that money busing K-6 students.

If parents would like to send their students to Hilltop, regardless of the grade level, they should have the opportunity to send them. Considering the day and age that we live in, many parents will be interested in sending their child to a technology-rich school setting. Keep the school K-5.

If interest exceeds the capacity of Hilltop school and the school does exceptionally well, use it as a model for the other schools in the district.

I think of the STEM proposal for 4th and 5th grades as a 'pilot' program. If we vote yes-yes, Hilltop stays open and gives the community an opportunity to participate in a newer (for us) educational approach. After a few years of success, I would think the program would be expanded to K-5.

The Hilltop site has so much to offer for a STEM-based curriculum! By voting yes-yes on Nov. 8th the citizens of this school district will have opened a extraordinary educational door for our children. The alternative, closing Hilltop, goes in the opposite direction in my opinion.

Vote double YES on Tuesday!!! Invest now, or pay later.

Terry, this if a first of anyone mentioning this? Could this be possible?

Anyone know what hours the voting booths will be open?

Polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Are absentee ballots available?