November Message from the Superintendent
Minnesota public school finance may often be characterized as cumbersome and confusing. Basic general education revenue is determined by a state per student funding formula and consists of an equalized mix of property tax and state aid revenue. Other state-authorized revenue, including excess levy referendum and the property shift, also involve an equalized mix of property tax and state aid revenue. Therefore, the mix of property tax and state aid can change significantly from year to year without any net change on revenue.
The basic formula in the 2008-09 school year is $5,124 per Adjusted Marginal Cost Pupil Unit (AMCPU). The funding method using the AMCPU concept takes into account the grade-level and length of time a student spends in a district during a school year. Districts are paid 130% of the formula for those students in grades 7-12, 106% of the formula for those in grades 4-6, 115% of the formula for those in grades 1-3, and 61.2% of the formula for those in Kindergarten.
All Minnesota school districts receive basic formula aid. Many other aids, known as categorical, are paid to districts depending on certain circumstances such as poverty levels, property tax bases, geographical sparsity, and transportation needs. Another important revenue source, which causes inequity among districts, is revenue obtained though excess levy referendums.
New Prague Area Schools is fortunate that the local taxpayers have approved an excess levy of $757 per pupil unit for the next five years. Some of that levy is equalized with state aid, however most of the cost is borne by the taxpayers.
New Prague Area Schools receives about $5,532 per student (AMPCU) from state aid which ranks 330 out of 340 Minnesota School Districts. When the excess levy is added to NPAS's funding, the total rank for NPAS rises to 254 out of 340. When all aids, including Special Education are added to the basic formula, NPAS receives about $7,868 per AMPCU, compared with a Minnesota state average of $8,932 and a rank of 222 (35th percentile).

New Prague Area Healthy Community Initiative (NPAHCI) "Positive Plans" Forum scheduled
• True or False: 70% of local students surveyed report feeling supported by their families
• True or False: 40% of ninth graders report having ridden with someone who has been drinking
• True or False: Newcomers to the area report being disconnected from crucial aspects of community life
Community members can find the answers to these and many more questions at a forum called "Positive Plans for a Healthy Community^TM on Saturday, November 22 from 8:00 – 11:00 am at the New Prague High School. Ms. Ann Walter and Ms. Mary Laeger Hagemeister of the University of Minnesota Extension will present results of two surveys conducted in the last twelve months. The surveys, conducted among youth and adults, shed new light on what it is like to grow up and live in our community. Following this, the NPAHCI will facilitate an idea sharing session to identify causes for celebration and areas of concern. NPAHCI will use this community input to focus their ongoing work. No registration is necessary for this event. Doors open at 8:00 am and the program begins promptly at 8:30 am in the high school lecture hall.

American Education Week
American Education Week is November 16-22 this year. This is a time to spotlight the work of our students and to positively recognize our staff. As a parent or community member, please take a moment to drop a note to a staff member to thank them for their efforts on behalf of our children.

Lastly, I want to mention what a joy and privilege it has been for me to meet and interact with so many wonderful young people in our system. We are fortunate to have the opportunity as educators to work on a daily basis with the children you are sending to us. We thank you for the trust you have placed in us to educate the children of the New Prague Area Schools.