Both Pennington County school districts have referendums on their ballots Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Goodridge School District
Goodridge School District voters will decide whether to invest $21,350,000 to address educational and facility challenges facing the district. The bonds would be issued for a period of 20 years. If approved, highlights include an expanded area to support Career and Technical Education; right-sized, adequate classroom space; additional gymnasium space; safety and security; indoor air quality and building systems; restrooms and more.
A $100,000 residential home in the district would see an estimated tax impact of approximately $35 per month starting in 2024. The estimated tax impact on an acre of agricultural homestead property valued at $2,500 per acre is $2.21 annually or $0.18 per month. If approved, the State of Minnesota’s Ag2School tax credits will pay for approximately 60% of the project’s total debt service payments, ultimately lowering the tax impact for agricultural landowners without adding additional tax impact for non-agricultural landowners.
Thief River Falls School District
Thief River Falls School District voters will have three questions on their ballot.
Question 1 seeks to authorize a new operating levy of $750 per pupil. (Kindergartners through sixth graders are each counted as one per pupil unit while seventh through 12th graders are considered to be 1.2 pupil units each.) If approved, the levy would provide $1,375,000 annually over a 10-year term and cost a $150,000 home $15.06 per month. Passage would create three to four years of financial stability for the district. It would invests in school security, mental health services, and career and technical programming.
Question 2 seeks to authorize a capital projects levy of $800,000 per year for a seven-year term and cost a $150,000 home $4.66 per month. The capital projects levy would help alleviate financial pressure on the district’s General Fund. It would also fund the district’s 1:1 technology plan and make additional investments in building safety and security.
Question Three seeks to authorize an additional operating levy of $407 per pupil. If approved, the levy would provide $843,000 annually for a 10-year term and cost a $150,000 home $8.18 per month. This funding would support the same services as Question One by strengthening the district’s General Fund to avoid deficit spending and create an additional three to three years of financial stability for the district’s budget.
Questions 2 and 3 are contingent upon Question 1 passing.