��

Here is the of the results of the voting. Almost all levies were for new money. For example, to repair or build new facilities and fund school operations. In addition, there were requests to fund technology and other services.

Here’s a look at the results of a few districts.

BURNSVILLE-EAGAN-SAVAGE

��

Here the voters passed the increase in money for operations by 61 percent. And the levy replaces two ones. This is a $84.00 a year increase for a $250.000 home. Finally, the district is facing a budget gap of about 5 million. And even with this levy passing will need to close several schools.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

In short, wow! To put it differently the voters passed a historic $324 million capital levy. And this will be for districtwide construction projects. For example, a new elementary in Hugo and an updated high school.�� All projects to be completed by 2024.

ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN

Again, here the voters backed the request by 64 percent. This was to replace an existing levy. Also, it brings in an additional $18 million a year. Additionally, district leaders say some budget cuts will also be needed. Amounted to $300 a year for a $286,000 home.

MOUNDS VIEW

Another instance of replacing levies with one. And this will add $12 million more a year in new revenue. Above all, this will put the school district on strong financial footing for the next decade. Finally, it will cost an owner of a $275,000 home $336 more a year.

LAKEVILLE

Here we have a number of things going on. First, the voters approved tow tax requests. And that gives the district 4.3 million of new funds. This will be for more teachers and counselors. Second, was the capital levy for $43 million. And this is for athletic facilities, technology and security upgrades. Specifically, the athletic facilities are a gym addition, a new pool and practice fields.

SPRING LAKE PARK

Likewise, we find overwhelming support for our schools in this district. Voters approved renewal of two existing levies. These were for operations and the other for security and technology.

The post Outcome of voting on school levies appeared first on �鶹��ý I School information I Homes for sale.

More so than affordability or convenience stands the quality of the schools because school districts matter when home buying. This holds significance when all things are considered. Convenience to the workplace is the only consideration that appears to be slightly more important. The difference between the two is such a minimal and insignificant percentage.

If the quality of schools in the area isn’t really a current factor, they may be in a few years. If starting a family is not on your current radar, you may still do better to buy in a school district that takes education seriously.

Pick Your Builder’s Brain

The best place to start- the builder and their team! Generally, they are aware of the surrounding schools, should you make the decision to buy in their neighborhood.

Ask Questions

If the community has already had some families move in, ask them! Questions about the local school system would be among those I’d ask during a door-to-door walk of the neighborhood. This would also be a good time to find out how people like their newly built home and the builder. While not the norm, knocking on doors is a fantastic way to learn. Most people are excited to take a minute to talk about their new homes. So, take a neighborhood stroll and get educated.

A few questions you should consider asking are:

�� �� �� ��

�� �� ����

�� ������ ��

Located on this site are pages dedicated to each , to assist with helping potential buyers in finding the information they need to select a school district for their child(ren). You can find course offerings, teacher/student ratios, among other morsels of information.

Also, consider the distance from your new house to the school or ask yourself, can the kids walk to school? If the answer is no, where’s the bus stop? Are you able and willing to drive your kids to school each day?

Most school districts, as well as each individual school, have their own websites. This is where you can find start/end times and a wealth of other information. District websites are available on the individual pages here.

Ultimately

Know, school districts matter when home buying. There is no way around this, they should be considered. There is nothing better than taking a trip to visit the school(s) you are considering, to see first-hand how they operate. Is the school secretary friendly? Do they display their students work? Does the front office communicate with its students —how well? How are children with special needs treated?

There are dozens of questions you can ask directly to the principal, depending on what’s important to you. What’s most important, when picking a school or buying a house, is that you ask enough questions, so you feel comfortable and confident that both are right for you and your family.

Remember, kids tend to grow up and, in a few years, they may be off to middle school or high school. So, be sure you research and visit those schools, too, when you are making your decision.

��

��

The post Will School Districts Matter When Home Buying appeared first on �鶹��ý I School information I Homes for sale.

For an eighth consecutive year, Minnesota can lay claim to being best in the nation in the ACT college admissions test.

State seniors again posted higher scores than those in other states in which at least half of students took the exam.

Progress was made, too, in the percentage of state graduates deemed college-ready in each of the four subject areas being tested.

This year, 39 percent of Minnesota seniors were proficient across the board, compared with 36 percent in 2012.“That is tops in the nation,” state Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said Tuesday.

Results were mixed, however, in another chief area of concern: the large, persistent gap between white and minority test takers.

According to the results to be released Wednesday, 61 percent of the state’s white students reached the minimum college-readiness benchmarks in at least three of the four subjects tested, up from 59 percent a year ago. Black students who met the same standard remained at 16 percent.

For black seniors, that was an improvement over 2009, when 14 percent of test takers were college-ready in three subjects. But it was still short of the five-year high of 17 percent in 2011.

The post Minnesota is tops again in ACT results, and more college-ready, too appeared first on �鶹��ý I School information I Homes for sale.