Perham-Dent schools seek referendum funding

PERHAM — After years of budget cuts, Perham-Dent Public Schools could soon have more money to work with. The district has cut $2.2 million from its budget over the past four years. Now, it's asking voters to approve a referendum that would generate about $746,000 in annual funding. Superintendent Mitch Anderson says that would give the district more financial flexibility after years of reductions. "The dollars will go toward maintaining lower class sizes. Some of our programs at the elementary, our intervention programs at the high school, we're expanding our career tech ed opportunities, work-based learning, all of those things that our community and our area region really are looking for in our graduates," Anderson said. The district says the referendum would actually lower local property taxes, thanks to new state aid and reductions in other school levies. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. ]]>