Tag Archives: election

Public, School Media Specialist

Referendum Results in Central MN

Yes in May to the Alternative Vote BallotLast week’s election was a chance for 21 Central MN school districts to include a total of 30 levy requests  on the ballot. As you can imagine, the levy requests  were varied, the results were mixed. A total of 16 requests passed (53%), with 14 not passing. Election sources choose to use the word “fail” when levies aren’t approved, but we need to commend schools who ask for what is needed to provide a solid academic experience for students.

CMLE staff have pulled the regional results for your convenience, & organized districts by county: https://cmleinfofeed.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/levy20141.pdf.

See the following links to pore through the statewide levy results

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/l7p4u3w, licensed under CC BY 2.0

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Tips on Connecting with the New Congress – From Stephanie Vance

The ALA Washington Office held a webinar on November 19, 2012 in which Stephanie Vance (The Advocacy Guru and keynote speaker at MLA 2012) gave an update on the recent elections and tips on how to connect (about library issues) with the new Congress (113th).  The video was recorded and is available at the following link, which also includes some additional materials referenced in the video.
http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/11/election-update-and-connecting-with-the-new-congress-video/

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Central MN Referendum Success!

Yesterday’s election was a chance for forty school districts in the state to put an operating referendum on the ballot. Statewide, 37 referendum questions passed, with 18 fails. According to MPR News, about half of the districts are asking voters to continue levies that are already in place, the other half are asking voters for an increase. Last year, 130 districts came to voters with levies. This fall, it appears that school districts are avoiding asking voters during busy election years for fear their pleas for taxpayer help will be lost amid the rest of the campaign activity.

The variety in levy requests statewide is surprising. The districts in Barnum, Milaca, McGregor and Peqout Lakes are asking for $1 per student. Meanwhile the Red Lake Falls, Fosston, Red Wing and Clearbrook-Gonvick districts are asking for more than $1,000 per student per year. The Hendricks Public School District levy is $2,000 per student.

We are happy to report that schools in Central Minnesota did pretty well with their operating referendums, with only the Royalton district failing. The following schools  may be celebrating a bit today due to passed referendums, and we offer hearty congratulations!

Becker, Delano, Elk River, McGregor, Milaca,  Paynesville, Rocori, Sauk Rapids Rice,

To see the statewide details of the levies, go to http://tinyurl.com/aakn2ko

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Free Presidential Campaign and Election Kit Offered for Kids

The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) has created a free Presidential Campaign and Election Kit to help parents, family members, teachers, librarians, and community leaders to engage young people in informed discussions about the presidential campaigns and election, to teach them to think critically, and to energize them to learn more about the political process in America. The Kit includes:

  • Exclusive articles regarding such topics as presidential job requirements, the history of presidential campaigns, and the evolution of voting rights.
  • Activities to use with young people in the classroom or at home.
  • Discussion questions you can share during class, around the dinner table, and at a Scout or club meeting.

Get the downloadable free kit at http://tinyurl.com/9328tw2

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

13 Free Websites to Help Teach About the Election

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There are a number of free websites available to help teach students about this year’s presidential election. The writer of this blog lists 13, including PenPal News Red Blue, which partners students with pen pals in different geographical regions, and the nonpartisan nonprofit ProCon.org, which details candidates positions without the spin. MTV’s Fantasy Election also allows students to pick their “team” of candidates similar to fantasy football. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/The Learning Network blog (9/5)