11/3/2009 7:55:01 AM

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By Kurt Nesbitt

Post-Bulletin, Austin MN 

Today's the day for voters and tonight could be the night for Austin Public Schools.

	Polls open Voting: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. What's on the ballot: Six candidates seeking three school board seats, plus an excess levy referendum. Where do I vote: Austin High School, Austin Public Library, Ellis Middle School, Banfield and Southgate elementary schools, and Woodson Kindergarten Center. More information: 433-0966. Go to Austinpb.com for results after polls close.

Voters are headed to the polls today to cast their ballots for three Austin School Board candidates and the district's excess levy referendum.

Polls opened around the city at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Ballots will be counted in the district office, and results will be uploaded to the Minnesota Secretary of State later this evening.

Two key elements are on the ballot are:

• The race for the school board is between six candidates who are running for three seats. Three challengers -- Aaron Keenan, Jeff Kritzer and Jeff Ollman -- are in the race with three incumbents -- Mary Kleis, Richard Lees and David Simonson. The top three vote-getters will be elected. Each seat carries a three-year term.

This election also will decide what happens to the $1 million excess levy referendum that district officials have been promoting around the city since late summer. The district is asking for the removal of two of its three existing levy overrides and for voters to replace those with a new override, which will boost the per-pupil funding level to about $952 per student. The district wants the new levy so it can cover increased employment and maintenance costs.

The Austin School Board will canvass the ballots at a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the district administration office.

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