Annandale community rallies around its schools

When the District 876 levy failed this past November, Annandale school officials were left with a $1.5 million-dollar operating deficit. Without the necessary funds, the district was faced with difficult budget cuts at all levels, elementary, middle grades, and high school. Staffing, along with academic and sports programming were on the line.

Fundraising efforts were needed to help restore vital programming and keep class sizes manageable to allow educators the ability to focus their efforts on students in the classroom. 

In response to the financial challenges faced by Annandale Public Schools, a group of dedicated parents and community members established “Cardinals Rising,” a nonprofit organization aiming to bridge the funding gap and support the district. 

A grassroots effort now into the month of February, Cardinals Rising has successfully raised over $100,000, thanks to the generosity of numerous supporters. 

With money raised so far, the district was able to retain a 4th grade teacher position, as well as retain a student services position that was expected to be cut. 

Cardinals Rising has received positive support from the community, with many individual businesses donating a portion of their sales to the organization. Donations to Cardinals Rising are tax-deductible and can be made through various methods, including in-person, mail-in, online via GoFundMe, and employer matching programs. Cardinals Rising operates without any capital. All funds and donations go directly to the district. 

 The organization emphasizes that while this fundraising effort is crucial, it is not a long-term solution. The ultimate goal remains to pass an operating levy that aligns Annandale’s funding with other Minnesota school districts.

Messaging with a mission

The November levy vote passed within the city limits of Annandale, but it failed in all of the surrounding townships, which are part of the district. Cardinals Rising members speak at area township and lake association meetings to spread the word and get their message out. “We’re the boots on the ground. We speak at city council meetings, chamber of commerce meetings, school board meetings, and various other organizational meetings. Anywhere we can,” said Cardinals Rising member, Alyssa Radisewitz Domagala.

A key component in the group’s messaging is to break down the actual cost of the levy to individual taxpayers and dispel misinformation surrounding the proposed levy. “These are everyday operation funds, nothing extravagant. Some voters have in mind that a new building is needed, but these are operating expenses only.”

Radisewitz Domagala shared that with an estimated home valuation of $300,000, the annual taxes would be $252, which equates to $21 per month. On a million-dollar home, taxes would be $71 per month. “We’re really trying to get the accurate information out there. Reminding people that this is an operating levy and not a building bond.” 

Fundraising

Cardinals Rising and the community that supports the mission have crafted some creative funding-raising endeavors, all in an effort to raise needed dollars and spread the word of the organization’s goals. Recent outreach efforts have included a sponsorship at the Halftime Challenge during a Cardinals basketball game on Feb. 3. 

Events and endeavors such as this give the group a chance to reach out to the community and talk to people about Cardinals Rising and the organization’s goals to bridge the funding gap until an operational levy is passed. “We want to get face time with as many people as possible so when they are signing up, it gives us a chance to chat with them,” stated Radisewitz Domagala. 

“One of the things we are most excited about is a group of anonymous donors who have come forward and offered to match 52 donations of $876 dollars or more. So, if you donate $1,000, they are going to match the first $876 of that. If we receive the 52 donations and they match that, it’s $91,000. We are very grateful to them.” The window for this donation offer is Feb. 14 to May 17.

Looking forward

The school district won’t make an official decision on whether or not to put another operational levy up for vote until July. The goal in the meantime is to prepare for that potential. 

Cardinals Rising serves as a testament to the community’s dedication to its schools and the future of its children, embodying the spirit of unity and proactive engagement in the face of financial adversity.

The Annandale community has rallied around this cause, demonstrating a strong commitment to maintaining the quality of education programming in the district, helping students build skills they will carry with them for life. The investment reaches far beyond extra dollars and cents; it’s an investment in the community and the lives of the students that walk the hallways.

Ways to Donate

•In-Person Donations: Drop off checks or cash at the Annandale District Office: 125 Cherry Ave. N, Annandale, MN 55302 or any of the schools; Elementary, Middle, or High School.

•Mail-In Donations: Send checks to Annandale District Office.

•Bank Online Payments: Use your bank’s bill-pay feature, listing ISD 876 as the Payee.

•GoFundMe (Online Giving): Donate using the GoFundMe link 

•Employer Matching: Double your impact through donation-matching programs. Contact HR at your place of employment to see if they offer any donation-matching programs.