learn about the cost of the plan
On or before Tuesday, November 4, residents will consider two ballot questions.
QUESTION ONE
Question One asks residents to consider an $8.745 million building bond referendum to renovate and expand the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and agriculture shop, add two general education classrooms, renovate and expand the existing kitchen and servery area, and address deferred maintenance items, including renovating the old girls’ and boys’ locker rooms, parking lot improvements, and more.
QUESTION TWO
Question Two asks residents to approve a new, reduced operating levy to maintain our staff, educational programs, and services.
Both questions are non-contingent, meaning either one or both questions can pass without the approval of the other.
Across the State of Minnesota, facility improvements for public schools are funded through property tax increases. Our district and school board are committed to using taxpayer dollars wisely across all areas, and we have worked hard to ensure the proposed plan reflects residents' priorities and provides high value for taxpayer investment in our school.
If approved by voters, this investment would be supported by a property tax increase. The building bond referendum would take effect in 2026 and expire after 2046 or when the bonds for the project have been paid, whichever happens sooner. The operating levy would take effect in 2027.
How does the plan impact my property taxes?
If Question One’s building bond referendum is approved, a $200,000 residential home in the district would see an estimated tax impact of approximately $7.88 per month starting in 2026. For an agricultural homestead with an estimated market value of $10,000 per acre, the estimated tax impact would be $0.07 per acre per month ($0.83 per acre per year) starting in 2026.
Tax impact chart
This table outlines the estimated tax impacts for various property types across the district if the referendum is approved. For easier viewing, click on the image to access a PDF. An online, parcel-specific tax calculator will be available soon.
If Question Two’s operating levy is approved, residents would see no change in their tax commitment as the levy would continue at the rate of the past few years. The approval would allow for an inflationary adjustment (set by the State of Minnesota) if the school board deemed necessary each year, however, have not required such adjustment for the past several years.
If Question Two is not approved by residents, the school board will use its authority to renew the existing operating levy at its current rate, and school-related property taxes would remain the same. Spending taxpayer dollars wisely is one of the board’s top priorities, and its decision to lower its current operating levy authority means a lower tax impact for residents.
Attention agricultural landowners!
The State of Minnesota’s Ag2School Tax Credit is a 70% tax credit provided to all agricultural property except the house, garage, and one acre surrounding the agricultural homestead for building bond referendums. This is not a tax deduction – it’s a dollar-for-dollar credit and is an automatic tax credit paid directly by the state with no application required. This credit would remain at 70% for the life of the bond.
The State of Minnesota’s Ag2School Tax Credit reduces the contribution percentage for agricultural landowners to 24.45%. If approved, approximately 57.04% of the total bond referendum’s principal and interest will be covered by the state’s 70% tax credit. The Ag2School Tax Credit does not apply for operating levies.
