Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton schools ask voters to approve $500 per pupil operating levy for 10 years
Summary
DGF Superintendent Shannon Hunstead presented the district's $500-per-pupil operating referendum proposal, tied to inflation and running 10 years; she said the district has cut staff and is seeking stability in the face of rising costs and state funding shortfalls.
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (DGF) Schools Superintendent Shannon Hunstead told the Clay County Board Oct. 21 that the DGF school board will ask voters to approve a $500-per-pupil operating levy for 10 years on Nov. 4.
Hunstead said the district's formula funding has not kept pace with inflation and the district faces operating strain despite cost reductions, including staff and route cuts. She said DGF is asking for a $500-per-pupil operating levy (indexed to inflation) and explained the district is not seeking a capital question this cycle partly to avoid an adverse tax impact on farmland owners.
Hunstead provided regional comparisons showing DGF would fall into the mid-range among peer districts if the levy passes. She said the tax impact for a $250,000 home in her district would be about $22 per month. The superintendent described performance and program expansions, including an alternative learning program, a new career and technical education shop, and multi-tiered support systems; she said the district has also acquired electric buses and added counseling and other supports.
Hunstead said the district has implemented efficiencies and grant-funded programs but cannot "cut our way to success" and needs local revenue to preserve class size, mental-health staff and elective programs. She emphasized that open enrollment patterns and local property values affect referendum tax impacts.
No action by the county was required; Hunstead thanked commissioners for their time and encouraged voters to review the district's referendum materials.
