ATTENTION TAXPAYERS:
NOTICE OF SCHOOL OPT OUT ELECTION
FREDERICK AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6-2
A School District Opt Out Election will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in all the voting precincts in School District No. 6-2, Frederick, South Dakota. If the polls cannot be opened because of bad weather, the election may be postponed one week.
The election polls will be open from seven a.m. to seven p.m. central time on the day of the election.
Proposed $450,000 General Fund Opt Out for five (5) years.
Yes
No
The polling place in each precinct of this district is as follows:
Frederick Community Center – Precinct 22
Westport Town Hall – Precinct 14
Any voter who needs assistance, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may contact the school business manager at (605) 329-2355 before the election for information on polling place accessibility for people with disabilities.
Shauna Severson
Business Manager
FASD General Fund Opt Out Election
In an upcoming ballot scheduled for April 9, 2024, residents of the Frederick Area School District will be given the chance to express their views regarding a proposed opt-out initiative amounting to $450,000 over five years. Previously, the Frederick Area School District had approved a $200,000 opt-out, which is due to expire this year. This vote carries weight due to various factors concerning past budget allocations and the future strategic needs of the district.
SB127 places constraints on teacher compensation, mandating districts to keep pace with yearly increases in state aid funding. Compliance is determined by ensuring that the district's average teacher compensation remains at least 97 percent of the cumulative percentage change in the target teacher salary since fiscal year 2024. Moreover, the bill sets a state minimum teacher salary of $45,000, which must also mirror annual increments in state aid funding. With our current base teacher salary set at $41,500, the impact on our district for the forthcoming school year is evident.
Changes to the capital outlay funding formula contribute to the rationale behind the proposed higher opt-out amount. The capital outlay fund, designated by law to finance the acquisition, lease, or addition of real property, equipment, or software for educational purposes, faces alterations in its funding formula. Previously, the district could roll over the same amount from the previous year, totaling $366,125. However, this option is no longer viable. According to SDCL 13-16-6, the district can now transfer a maximum of 45% of the total tax revenue for the current fiscal year, resulting in an anticipated transfer of $263,160 for the upcoming tax year, which is $102,965 less than the previous year.
The Frederick Area School Board conducts an annual review of the budget. Apart from the initial year, the board has not utilized the entire $200,000 amount from the previously approved opt-out measure. In the second year, $100,000 was utilized, followed by $170,000 in the final year. Furthermore, the past requirement to fully utilize a $200,000 fund in the first year of opting out has been lifted, allowing for greater flexibility in budget management. The board's intention is to continue this annual budget review and practice of only utilizing what is necessary from the $450,000 opt-out fund.
The FASD school board emphasizes the importance of transparency by directly involving the public in the vote on this proposed opt-out. This vote carries significant implications for the future trajectory of our school district, emphasizing the critical need for all stakeholders to remain informed and engaged in the decision-making process.
