Grassroots group pushing for vote on new Anoka-Hennepin school tax
A grassroots movement is pushing for a new property tax to help fund schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, the largest of its kind in Minnesota.
Parents for Good says it intends to formally file their petition with the district this Thursday
A "Let Us Vote Rally" was held Monday at 6 p.m. at the Sandburg Education Center before parents present the signatures to the school board.
They say they want to celebrate the milestone and show the school board their community wants the opportunity to vote on school funding this fall.
The district's 30-plus schools serve nearly 40,000 students in more than a dozen metro communities, including Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Dayton and Nowthen.
The district, which just welcomed new superintendent Greg Cole last month, reached a contract agreement in January with members of Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota who sought higher wages and better healthcare.
A district spokesperson said 3,000 signatures do not automatically put the levy on the ballot; that decision rests with the school board.
For perspective, they said a $400,000 home in the district would see a $600 tax increase per year if this levy is approved, calling it the largest funding request in district history.
Tiffany Strabala, an Anoka-Hennepin substitute teacher and former school board candidate, said taxes are already too high.
"I don't think it's a money issue, I think it's a discipline issue," said Strabala. "I feel like there's a lack of discipline in our schools. The cell phones are everywhere, they need to be gone."
