As a former teacher and as a parent with two children in the Duluth Public Schools, I see every day how hard our community's educators and staff work to support our students.
I know times are tough and costs are rising; no household eagerly seeks additional expenses. But our schools have already absorbed millions in budget reductions, stripping away reading specialists, social workers, and library staff. Without additional revenue, the district faces another $12 million in forced cuts — the equivalent of losing 120 teachers. These financial challenges will directly impact our children’s daily learning environment and safety. The alternative to localized investment is larger class sizes, the potential closure of neighborhood elementary schools, reduced sports and music programs, and the end of hub busing for many middle- and high-schoolers.
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Unlike past ballot questions centered on technology, the current operating referendum questions would, if passed, put nearly $10 directly into classrooms and teaching for every $1 allocated to tech. For a $300,000 home, the financial impact is about $15 a month — roughly 50 cents a day.
While state funding hasn't kept pace with infl...