As previously shared with the community, the school board and district administration continue to discuss options for stabilizing the district’s long-term finance projections and limiting the need for budget reductions. The discussions have also included the need for additional funding to address safety, security and maintenance needs at district schools.
As part of the discussion for stabilizing the district’s budget, the board considered the following three options:
- Do nothing
- Wait for state/federal funding increases
- Seek local funding through operating levy or other options
While the first two options were discussed- do nothing and wait for state/federal funding increases - both of these options would require the district to reduce its budget for the 2026-2027 school year. Seeking additional funding through a local levy was the most viable option and our best chance to avoid budget reductions.
To address the district’s facilities needs, the Long Range Facility Planning Task Force began meeting in November 2024 and presented its recommendations earlier this spring. The task force consisted of 34 members, which included five community members, 15 parents, 11 staff members and three board members. The task force was also assisted by consultants from Wold Architects and Engineers.
The two most critical facility needs for the district are maintenance and physical conditions issues and upgrading safety and security features at district facilities.
Funding currently available to the district will not be enough to address all the necessary facility needs. While there are some options to finance facility improvements that do not require voter approval, the most frequently used option is a bond referendum or capital projects levy, which require voter approval. Options that do not require voter approval often do not generate sufficient funds to cover all facility improvements.
For seeking additional funding through local sources, the board is considering the following:
- An operating levy to be used to maintain current programs and staff positions, to generate $2 million per year for 10 years for a total of $20 million
- A building bond levy to be used for maintenance projects and safety and security at district schools, to generate $20-$30 million
The district has also contracted with Morris Leatherman, a Minneapolis-based research company, to conduct a community survey to solicit insight from parents and community members about these funding options. The board will receive the survey results in early June with the decision to schedule a fall 2025 referendum election to come by the end of June. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.