Residents in three North-Central Minnesota school districts will head to the polls next month — or may have already — to vote on proposed referendums.
Pequot Lakes, Pine River-Backus and Nevis are asking voters to approve additional tax levies. Pine River-Backus is seeking capital project funds, Nevis plans to expand and renovate its school and Pequot Lakes is trying to do both.
Pequot Lakes
Pequot Lakes’ plan involves two questions. The first asks voters to approve a $55 million bond to pay for career, technology and trades education spaces; safety and security enhancement and general maintenance. The second asks for a 10-year, $6 million capital projects levy to support curriculum, textbooks and technology. Question Two is not contingent on Question One.
Voters opposed two similar questions in 2023, with 54% vetoing the 10-year, $5 million capital projects levy and 60% against $76.5 million in building bonds.
Over the last two years, the district has hosted over 20 meetings with parents, students and staff and surveyed residents for feedback. The result is a slightly larger capital projects levy but a scaled-back construction plan.
The new plan calls for renovating the auditorium rather than building a new one, using more existing space. It removes athletic field investment entirely.
If the referendum fails, the district’s project website says it cannot enhance safety measures and must delay traffic improvements.
“Students and staff will continue to use overcrowded and/or inadequate learning spaces for trades, robotics, and family and consumer science classes,” it states. “Nearly $19 million worth of maintenance needs will be completed at a much slower pace and will be more expensive due to inflation.”
The district estimates the referendum would increase taxes on a $400,000 home by $16.25 a month. Find more information on the plan and tax impact at patriot-vision.org.
Pine River-Backus
Pine River-Backus is proposing a 10-year, $9 million capital projects levy. The funds would pay for heating, ventilation and air conditioning updates, roof replacements and new buses, among other needs.
The district says the needs are based on its facilities maintenance plan and feedback from the School Board and staff.
Unlike a majority of school districts in the state, Pine River-Backus does not have an operating levy. The district has one of the lowest tax rates in the area, and it says it would still have one of the lowest if the referendum passes.
If the referendum fails, some projects may be delayed.
“We will still need to pay for building repairs, upgrades to our vehicle fleet and technology support,” the district’s referendum website states.
“If the referendum fails, our school board and district leaders will evaluate how to fund these critical projects, which projects can be delayed, and how these will affect our day-to-day operations.”
If the levy passes, a $300,000 home would see an estimated tax increase of $6 per month. Visit the district’s project website to calculate tax impact and find more information.
Nevis
Nevis is asking voters to approve $41.55 million in building bonds to expand and renovate school facilities.
The district’s large plan calls for more classrooms and career and technical education space; a secured entrance, centralized office and new drop-off and pick-up system; learning commons; a new gym; a new athletic complex and a new kitchen.
The proposal comes after a year of gathering feedback from staff, students, parents and community members.
The district says most of the school was built in 1987 for just over 300 students. Now the facilities are aging, and enrollment has nearly doubled.
“If the referendum fails, our district will not be able to make significant updates to our facilities,” the project website states.
“The district will continue to engage the community to determine our next steps — however, the district’s funding sources are not nearly enough to address the full scope of our facilities needs.”
The district estimates property taxes would go up $39 a month for a $200,000 home. Find the full plan and more on the cost on the project website.
Special Election voting information
Early voting for the ballot questions opened Feb. 21, and Election Day is April 8. Absentee ballots must be returned in person or by mail by 8 p.m. April 8.
Not sure where to vote? Use the Secretary of State Office's Polling Place Finder.
Early in-person voters for Pequot Lakes and Pine River-Backus can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 5 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 7.
Nevis district residents can cast their ballots early in-person from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Early In-Person Voting Location
- Pequot Lakes: Crow Wing County Elections Office in the historic courthouse in Brainerd
- Pine River-Backus: Cass County Auditor-Treasurer's Office in Walker
- Nevis: Nevis School District High School Office
Election Day Polling Place
- Pequot Lakes: Crosslake City Hall (for Crosslake and Fairfield and Merrifield township residents) and the Cole Memorial Building in Pequot Lakes (for all other residents)
- Pine River-Backus: Pine River City Hall
- Nevis: Nevis City Hall
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