ENM Council hears proposal for Lakeville levy and referendum

The Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, Oct. 24, meeting included a presentation by Lakeville Area Schools Superintendent Michael Baumann. He talked to the council about Lakeville’s upcoming vote on its operating levy and bond referendum.

Elko New Market is a community split between two school districts, Lakeville and New Prague Area Schools.

Baumann said voters will be asked a two part question on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Lakeville Area Schools are asking voters to consider passing a 10-year operating levy and 13-year bond referendum that will expand opportunities for students and address school safety and security. If approved, nearly all the schools in Lakeville will see improvements.

He noted that due to the recession the school district had to make cuts to an assortment of programs in 2008. They also had to cut 57 teaching jobs and increase class sizes. There was also a drop in student numbers, but as the economy has improved, the school district has been able to add back programs and staff. Baumann said they have approximately 11,500 students now. While he expects growth, the current work is for more immediate concerns over the next three years.

The first question increases the district’s operating levy by....

To see more on this story pick up the October 31, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.