School levy up; check your bill

Talk about it

An increase in the property tax levy was passed by the Lake Superior School District board last week.

What the percentage increase is for those who live in the district is not clear – it really depends on where you live.

Superintendent Phil Minkkinen said taxes will be different throughout the school district, which includes the cities of Two Harbors and Silver Bay, along with areas such as Silver Creek, Stony River, Bassett, Fairbanks, Crystal Bay, Beaver Bay and Fall Lake.

Minkkinen said the increase will depend on where people live and what the value of their property is.

“It shouldn’t be a large increase,” Minkkinen said. He said that the annual tax for him will go up about $50.

The money raised through the levy increase would pay for possible projects the district has planned, plus it helps pay off a building loan.

“We’re not levying for operating funds,” Minkkinen said.

Ventilation projects at Minnehaha Elementary and William Kelley High School are nearly complete.

The project at Kelley consists of replacing the existing natural gas/fuel oil steam-producing boilers with high-efficiency, natural gas/fuel oil, hot water-producing boilers; and related replacements of pipes and heating coils, along with the ventilation changes in the cafeteria, auditorium, locker rooms and the gymnasium.

At Minnehaha, there was the replacement and repair of air handling equipment.

Soccer coach let go

The contract for Two Harbors High School boys head soccer coach Corey Shaw was not renewed. Minkkinen said there were concerns about his behavior and his performance. He also said that there was more than one incident that caused the coach to be let go.

Student food drive

At least 1,800 pounds of food was raised by the Minnehaha for the local food shelf. Other schools in the district are helping raise food for area food shelves as well.

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