Referendum

Why a referendum? 

The main goals of the Farmington Area Public Schools referendum ballot proposal are to improve district financial stability and continue to offer excellent academic programs and learning opportunities to students. The current operating levy is nearing expiration and needs to be renewed and increased to address future needs as costs have continue to increase based on the following three key factors:

  • lack of adequate funding from the state to keep up with increasing costs including transportation, learning resources and operational expenses; 
  • lack of adequate funding from state and federal sources to cover the cost of special education services provided by the district (often referred to as the “special education cross subsidy”) and multilingual learner services provided by the district (often referred to as the “multilingual learner cross subsidy”);
  • lack of adequate funding from the state to cover the cost of newly mandated services to be provided by the district such as the Read Act, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, Unemployment Insurance, and Paid Family Medical Leave.

Why now? 

The decision by the school board to schedule the operating levy election came after months of consideration and discussion. The district has reduced the budget for the past three years. The amount of reductions for each year are listed below:

  • 2021-2022 - $700,000
  • 2022-2023 - $1,050,000
  • 2023-2024 - $2,400,000

Along with these reductions, the district is projecting a budget deficit of approximately $3.5 million for the 2024-2025 school year. Because of past reductions and projected deficit, it was important to offer district residents the opportunity to consider increasing funding for the district rather than facing additional reductions in the next few years. 

 

Tax Impact Explained

The district is choosing to bring the ballot question to the community at this time because of the following factors that will significantly minimize the tax impact on local property owners:

  • The first of two building bonds will be paid off in 2024-2025
  • The tax impact for the first three years of the levy will be $13.25 per month on an average valued home in ISD 192 ($350,000)
  • The district will receive $9 million in revenue for the first three years of the levy ($5 million of the current levy and $4 million from the new levy)
  • The second  of two building bonds will be paid off in 2027-2028
  • The tax impact for the remaining seven years of the levy will be reduced by $14.83 per month in a tax payment, which is about $1.58 less than current school property taxes
  • The district will receive $13 million in revenue for the remaining seven years of the levy ($5 million of the current levy and $8 million from the new levy)

Through the “stepped in” approach, the district will receive additional operating levy funds while limiting the tax impact for our residents. School property taxes for district residents with a home valued at $350,000 will increase by about $13.25 per month for the first three years and then be reduced by $14.83 per month for the remaining seven years of the levy, resulting in a lower tax payment of $1.58 per month. Thanks to strong financial planning from the district, we are taking advantage of these upcoming changes to our tax base and finding ways to maximize the impact on our learners and schools while minimizing the tax burden on our community. 

 

What’s on the ballot?  

There will be one question on the November 7, 2023 ballot. The proposal on the ballot will ask voters to:

  • Revoke the district’s existing operating levy of $677 per pupil and replace it with a new levy in the following amounts per pupil for taxes payable in the years specified:
    • $1,239.92 per pupil for taxes payable in 2024 which will provide $9 million ($5 million from previous levy and $4 million from new levy) per year for the first three years of the new levy; and
    • an additional $562.95 per pupil for taxes payable in 2027 which will provide an additional $4 million per year for the remaining seven years of the new levy. 

If approved, the revenue from the new levy will help the district to:

  • Maintain excellent learning opportunities, programs and services for district students.
  • Offset a portion of the costs associated with new literacy and learner support initiatives required by the state.
  • Stabilize funding.

How to Vote

To vote you must:

  • be at least 18 years old;
  • be a citizen of the United States;
  • be a resident of the school district and maintain residence in the district for 20 days immediately preceding the election.

The election will take place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot starting September 22, 2023. You can request an absentee ballot online for federal, state, and county elections. Click here to find your polling place.

 

Learn More

For additional information:

Updated September 18, 2023