As the only item on the Nov.

Saturday, October 13, 2001

As the only item on the Nov. 6 ballot, the excess levy referendum for Albert Lea Area Schools may not generate the same voter turnout that a general election would, said Superintendent Dr. David Prescott. He hopes voters decide to buck that trend.

&uot;We want the community to exercise their right to vote on the referendum. We want people to pay attention to the information and vote for the right reasons,&uot; he said.

Concern over possible low turnout has put supporters of the measure on the offensive. The Kids II Committee, formed by a group of community members to promote the referendum, is trying to raise money to get the word out.

&uot;We need people to vote – to educate themselves on the issue and go to the polls,&uot; said committee member Al Arends. &uot;This is a very urgent time for our schools.&uot;

The committee plans to gather donations for informational mailings that outline the district’s finances, illustrating why a referendum is necessary. Arends said the district has shown that it has operated on a very lean budget, making cuts every year for the past several years.

&uot;We have to make sure we retain our best tools – our professional educators and our programs,&uot; Arends said. &uot;I personally think children are every community’s most valuable resource, and most people would agree with that. We just need to motivate them to vote.&uot;

While the Kids II Committee raises money and promotes the referendum, the district has mounted its own informational campaign. Prescott, Finance Director Mark Stotts and various school board members have done radio interviews, submitted newspaper columns, and talked with 23 groups and organizations. Several more presentations are scheduled for the coming weeks.

&uot;We’re talking to anybody who will listen to us,&uot; Stotts said.

Public meetings, like the one planned for Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the new high school auditorium, have also reached people in the community. Attendance at two previous meetings has been low, Prescott said, but he hopes interest will build as the vote approaches.

&uot;Our goal is high voter turnout. As an administrator, I have to be careful about promoting it so we’re not telling people what to do.&uot; Prescott said. &uot;The schools belong to the public, and we just want the community to know the facts so they can vote with good information.&uot;