Eden Prairie Schools are underfunded. The district has had to cutÝ$11.5 millionÝand hold two successful referenda over the lastÝ5 years to sustain a quality educational program. The MN Taxpayers Association released a report that determined that Eden Prairie Schools are under funded. (www.mntax.org) Eden Prairie ranks 8th from the bottom of 350 MN school districts for the amount of state funding per student (MN Dept. of Education Revenue Disparity Report of 10-29-03). Eden Prairie's state revenues for education ranks 164 out of 168 school districts studied by the State Auditor. (www.osa.state.mn.us) State education funding remained flat for years in the 90's and currently we are in another cycle of no increases. The average percent increase per year since 1991 is 1.7%. (MN Dept. of Education, K-12 Education Finance Overview, 2003-04). Eden Prairie has never been able to raise as much revenue by local referendum as neighboring districts. Eden Prairie ranks 79th out of 108 metro area districts for education funding from local property taxes, including referendum dollars. (www.citizensleague.net) Eden Prairie's ability to receive funding from local referendum is capped lower than neighboring districts meaning that for over 25 years, neighboring district have been able to receive millions more in local tax support. Federal and state laws or "mandates" and factors out of the district's control strangle the district's ability to manage spending. No Child Left Behind regulations bring new requirements to Eden Prairie with no additional funding. (example: testing all children in grades 3-8) The Federal Government regulates the education of students with disabilities, but they never have produced their obligation of 40% of the funding needed to comply. Eden Prairie Schools have begun to experience declining enrollment which results in lower state revenues. Increasing diversity brings new challenges that require financial resources Rising healthcare costs significantly affects a budget comprised of 85% labor costs State law dictates how districts can impose a bus fee such that families are treated inequitable depending on where they live. The state funding formula for education has remained flat since 2003, and we cannot count on increases given the current state deficit and the Governor's reluctance to raise taxes. Interested in how Eden Prairie Schools are accountable? Copyright 2006 Citizens for Eden Prairie Schools