October 26, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura is urging taxpayers to pay special attention to the record number of school levy referenda on the ballot this November. The governor says some school districts are using deceptive tactics to disguise the size of proposed tax increases. He says the levies threaten to erode property tax relief passed during the last legislative session. But school officials say the levies are a response to inadequate funding during that same session. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
October 30, 2001 - The University of Minnesota withdrew from the state workers insurance plan and now offers four different insurance plans.
November 2, 2001 - In Duluth, more than three hundred volunteers are visiting an inner-city elementary school every week to read with the students. There's a reading partner for every child in the school. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports the effort grew out of the belief a child has a better chance at success in life with direct adult involvement. {
November 2, 2001 - Winona schools may be forced to make some of the most severe cuts in the state if the voters turn down a school referendum. The measure asks for more than 3 million dollars a year, for the next five years. Should the referendum fail extracurricular activities, sports, and all-day every-day kindergarten will vanish next year. In the past the district has had difficult time securing the public's financial support. This time the stakes appear to be higher. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this Mainstreet report.
November 7, 2001 - Unofficial results from Tuesdays election show two-thirds of the school districts asking for money from local residents will get it. But voters did say "no" in Bloomington, Anoka-Hennepin, Duluth, and St. Cloud. 188 school districts -- a record number -- had levy referendums on the ballot. School board officials say there's no definite pattern to explain the "no" votes. They see the largely positive response as a mandate to ask for more money at the legislature next year. We have two reports, starting with Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill. <
November 9, 2001 - MPR’s Chris Julin profiles Tasha Turk, a 15-year-old girl that also happens to be the best classical soprano in the town of Two Harbors. Turk got her start singing to livestock. She's come a long way…she'll be in Boston recording for a national radio show.
November 13, 2001 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that a new round of mandated state testing is underway in Minnesota public school classrooms. Over the next month, teachers will use the new Test of Emerging Academic English to measure the progress of the students who are not yet fluent English speakers. The results could also have a financial impact on schools.
November 16, 2001 - A grassroots organization of Rochester residents wants a recount of last week's school referendum vote. Some residents say the school district had too much control over a ballot with only one item. Mainstreet radio's Rob Schmitz has this report. Voters passed the levy measure by only 185 votes last Tuesday.
November 19, 2001 - A group of Rochester voters went to court today to force a recount of the narrowly approved school funding referendum. The newly formed group called Rochester Recounts says the district had too much control over the election process. In a year when half the schools districts in Minnesota asked for excess levy referenda, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says she's hearing similar complaints from all over the state. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley has this report. { A record number of Minnesota school districts asked voters for extra school funding this fall. When the only question on the ballot is a levy request, the school district is responsible for conducting the election. Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer says, it's the law.
November 23, 2001 - In elections around the state earlier this month, a record number of school districts asked voters to approve extra money for school programs. Most of those levy referendums passed. In Cook County in northeastern Minnesota, voters defeated a $300,000 referendum. But some residents aren't giving up. They're not challenging the referendum, but they're still trying to raise money. They've organized a fund drive. They're inviting people to contribute any amount, and they've raised about thirteen thousand dollars in just a couple of weeks. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.