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Information to voters in the Glenville-Emmons School District. The upcoming referendum is for $24,425,000 plus interest for 20 years to fund facility improvements.

SiteLogiq, the company behind this project, will receive 18.75% of the cost of this referendum (approximately $4.6 million) for pitching, organizing and overseeing the project, but won’t be doing the actual work that’s proposed.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, in 2016-17 Glenville-Emmons had 375 resident students. In 2024-25 they had 325. A loss of 50 students in eight years.

Enrollment is decreasing due to a decline in population throughout the county. Yet the school board is asking voters to assume a significant tax increase to repair buildings with no guarantee that enrollment can or will increase.

In 2024-25, 177 resident students (54%) open-enrolled out of the G-E School District. State aid followed them.

Some open-enrolled to districts that offer more educational or athletic opportunities and some because of closer proximity to neighboring districts.

In 2024 only five secondary students from those tested (11.4%) met/exceeded the state standards in math — a core subject — on the MCA test. District-wide, only 28 students from those tested in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 11 (25.5%) met/exceeded the state standards in math.

Some argue that standardized tests aren’t an accurate assessment of a student’s ability. However, the MCA math and reading tests are adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the student’s responses. This allows for a more precise assessment of their knowledge and skills. These tests are designed to measure performance against grade-specific standards.

The fact that the per pupil state cap on operating referendums is $2,266.31 and Glenville-Emmons is at $2,195.88 is alarming.

Any decline in enrollment, cuts in federal/state aid and rising costs will negatively affect the district’s ability to meet the day-to-day operating costs.

Some would have voters believe that if the referendum fails the schools will close and students will be sent to Albert Lea, where taxes are “much higher.” Those threats are based on fear, not fact. Albert Lea School District’s per pupil operating referendum is $629.56 — $1,566.32 less than Glenville-Emmons’ $2,195.88.

In an article published by Minnesota Public Radio, “Farm incomes have dropped significantly since 2022, leaving many farmers in a challenging financial position.”

This proposed project will only add to the challenges already facing farmers, and those on fixed incomes, disability and unemployment.

It’s time for the Glenville-Emmons School Board to face the facts. Population and enrollment are declining. There are teacher shortages throughout the state. They cannot offer the academic or athletic opportunities of other districts. State and federal funding are being cut. There is no room for growth in their operating referendum and operating costs continue to go up.

They are asking too much.

Vote no on the Glenville-Emmons referendum on Aug. 12.

Carmen Yost
resident and voter