[0:01] 91% of residents rate the quality of [0:04] education in Waconia public schools as [0:06] excellent or good. That sense of [0:08] connection doesn't just happen in the [0:10] classroom. It's built through a wide [0:11] variety of opportunities across our [0:13] district. These experiences help [0:16] students explore their passions and [0:18] create their success, the very heart of [0:20] our district's mission. So if the [0:22] referendum doesn't pass, what really [0:24] ends up being difficult to run are the [0:26] variety of programs that we have in our [0:28] secondary schools. The classes that are [0:30] difficult to run are those with the [0:31] smaller enrollments. Those are often our [0:33] elective courses or the or the enriched [0:35] courses, the advanced courses that our [0:37] students are taking, which starts to [0:38] limit those programs and academic [0:40] opportunities for our kids. [0:41] >> On Tuesday, November 4th, district [0:43] residents will be asked to vote on an [0:45] operating levy for learning that would [0:47] raise approximately $3 million annually [0:50] for 10 years. This increase in funding [0:52] would move Waconia public schools out of [0:53] the bottom 25% of Minnesota school [0:56] districts when it comes to per pupil [0:57] funding. This would allow Wakonia public [1:00] schools to continue investing in [1:02] academic programs that challenge and [1:03] inspire, fine arts programs that let [1:06] creativity shine, athletic programs that [1:09] build teamwork and school pride, and [1:11] student clubs that give every learner a [1:13] place to belong. [1:15] >> There's kids like me who I'm in almost [1:17] every club that our school offers. At [1:19] other schools, you don't have that, [1:21] right? All those groups, they all try to [1:24] make it a family. [1:26] >> Please learn all you can about the [1:27] upcoming referendum and make a plan to [1:29] vote on or before November 4th.