Election 2025: Northern Minnesota school board and referendum results

Last updated 2:45 a.m. Nov. 5.

Thirteen school districts across rural Northern Minnesota are seeking voter approval of referendums Tuesday, Nov. 4, and two have contested school board races.

The following results are unofficial and include only contested races.

Elections

Election 2025: Northern MN school referendums seek budget, building fixes

Aitkin, Badger, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Cook County, Crosby-Ironton, Deer River, Hibbing, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, Wadena-Deer Creek, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, Warroad & Win-E-Mac are the districts with special elections.

School Districts

Aitkin

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question 1: Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 1 (Aitkin Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $59,440,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new PreK-6 elementary school and transportation center?

• Yes, 1,549, 46.91%
• No, 1,760 , 53.19%

Question 2: If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 1 (Aitkin Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new community wellness and recreation center attached to the new elementary school?

• Yes, 1,419, 43.29%

• No, 1,859, 56.71%

  

  Esko girls earn 3rd in state soccer tournament

  The Esko girls took home bronze medals for the third year in a row, ending the 2026 season with a win over Watertown-Mayer.

  

  Red Lake woman sentenced to life in prison for murder of 2 children

  Jennifer Stately, 37, received a mandatory life sentence after a federal jury convicted her on six counts of murder and arson in February 2026.

  

  State Rep. Igo reflects on 7A win, GOP losses and 'October surprise' newborn

  KAXE's Emma Krab interviewed state Rep. Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, about the results of the 2026 midterm election and his plans for the upcoming legislative session.

Badger

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question 1: Shall the board of Independent School District No. 676 (Badger Public Schools) be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $5.340,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including, but not limited to, deferred capital maintenance, boiler and HVAC systems upgrades and improvements, new exterior windows and doors, and existing restrooms remodeling?

• Yes, 210, 63.83%
• No, 119, 36.17%

Question 2: The board of Independent School District No. 676 (Badger), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $429 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the new referendum revenue authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 676 (Badger), Minnesota be approved?

• Yes, 179, 54.91%
• No, 147, 45.09%

Question 3: If School District Questions 1 and 2 above are approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 676 (Badger Public School) be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,240,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction and equipping of classroom additions to the school site and facility; improvements to repurpose and remodel existing classroom spaces; construction and equipping of a new gymnasium facility including weight room, concessions, restrooms and locker rooms; construction and equipping of new career and technical education (CTE) spaces?

• Yes, 140, 43.34%
• No, 183, 56.66%

Fresh Picks: MN debut, universal grooves, storyteller, outlandish lyrics, genre-smashing punk

The KAXE Music Team on new releases from Kelley Smith, Seun Kuti, Caroline Rose, Willi Carlisle, Twisted Teens, Christine and the Queens, Morphine, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Plus Waits in '76.

Area Voices: The tale of Sweeney Todd comes to the Bemidji Community Theater

Bemidji Community Theater presents "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Nov. 13-22, 2026.

David Treuer’s ‘The Savage Mind’ is deeply personal, powerful

Author and Leech Lake Ojibwe David Treuer’s new book “The Savage Mind: An American Legacy” explores American violence and family history in a letter to his children.

Clearbrook-Gonvick

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 2311 (Clearbrook-Gonvick Public School) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $34,930,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of a secure entrance; the construction and equipping of classroom, special education and agriculture, industrial and trade technology (CTE) additions to the school site and facility; the construction of an elementary physical education space-gymnasium; the installation of a new roof and exterior doors; renovations and remodeling of the media center, commons areas and restrooms; upgrades to flooring and finishes; the acquisition and installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment; and upgrades and improvements to early childhood special education spaces and the early childhood playground?

• Yes, 405, 46.12%
• No, 473, 53.88%

State Rep. Igo reflects on 7A win, GOP losses and 'October surprise' newborn

District 7A Rep. Spencer Igo of Wabana Township is headed back to St. Paul for his fourth term, where he will face a new Democrat trifecta in Minnesota. The Republican says bipartisanship holds the key to making his constituents' voices heard.

Kelley Smith contemplates mid-life, parenting, grief in 'Flowers'

The Brainerd-based musician stopped by KAXE ahead of the release of her debut album out on Nov. 6, 2026.

Champion, Murphy, Stephenson reelected as DFL legislative leaders

Republicans selected Sen. Jordan Rasmusson and Rep. Harry Niska as minority leaders for the 2027-28 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12, 2027.

Cook County

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: Shall the board of Independent School District No. 166 (Cook County Schools), Minnesota, be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,650,000 for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, districtwide performing arts improvements, outdoor learning space upgrades, and a multi-functional outdoor physical education space with a track and synthetic turf surface?

• Yes, 1,228, 52.68%
• No, 1,103, 47.32%

Beltrami County investigates tip in 1980s cold case

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Northern Minnesota blows rain, temperature records out of the water

Cities like Hibbing and Brainerd saw record-breaking rain and daily low temperatures in early November 2026.

Deer ye, deer ye: It's time to take to the stand

Co-hosts Julia Schrenkler and Heidi Holtan chat about the traditions of deer camp, reverent hunting, and the surprising birds that eat meat.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!

Crosby-Ironton

4/4 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The school board of Independent School District No. 182 (Crosby-Ironton Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,521 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2026, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2027, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 182 be approved?

• Yes, 2,241, 68.45%
• No, 1,262, 31.55%

'Killing Cass Lake' documentary explores human toll of contaminated Superfund site

The new documentary from Hunterbrook Media investigates the St. Regis Paper Co. Superfund site, a former wood treating facility in Cass Lake, Minnesota.

Events Up North Nov. 9-15: Honoring veterans, local theater in Gilbert and Bemidji

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MN sets midterm voting turnout record; Another lawsuit filed over Hermantown data center

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Deer River (elect one)

4/4 precincts reporting, 100%

• Richard Fieldsend, 420, 47.35%
• LuAnn Robinson (incumbent), 450, 50.73%
• Write-in, 17, 1.92%

Question 1: The school board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 3.945% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The money raised from the capital project levy authorization will provide funds for school district technology, including technology systems related to safety and security, classroom and building technology, digital curriculum, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, technology infrastructure and network improvements, device replacement, and to pay the costs of technology related personnel and training. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $500,000 for taxes payable in 2026, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years. The estimated total costs of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $5,000,000. Shall the capital project levy proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 317 be approved?

• Yes, 392, 37.16%
• No, 663, 62.84%

Question 2: The school board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River Schools) has also proposed to increase its general education revenue by $300 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2026, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2027, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 317 be approved?

• Yes,389, 36.77%
• No, 669, 63.23%

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MN voters set midterm turnout record, place 2nd nationally

Nearly 2.9 million voters cast their ballots in Minnesota, but the state finished behind Maine in turnout percentage, according to preliminary data.

Chisholm voters return Holewa to council as employment policy awaits decision

A proposal to restrict city employees from serving on the council was postponed until after the election, which returned an affected incumbent and saw a leading proponent lose his mayoral bid.

October's 'Spin That Ish' from the KAXE Music Team

Listen as the KAXE Music Team talks their favorites from October in Star Moles, Charlie Parr, La Dame Blanche with Vakero, Madra Salach, Nabihah Iqbal, Caroline Rose, LEENALCHI and Linda Sikhakhane.

Hibbing

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question 1: The school board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $603.00 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would first be levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced by law. Shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public Schools) be approved?

• Yes, 1,191, 34.60%
• No, 2,251, 65.40%

Question 2: The school board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 8.767% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $1,300,000 for taxes first levied in 2025, payable 2026, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $1,300,000. The proposed authorization will provide funds to finance the purchase and installation of software and technology equipment; costs related to the support and maintenance of technology; costs related to training staff in the use of technology; and the purchase and installation of classroom and curriculum technology. Shall the capital project levy proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public Schools) be approved?

• Yes, 1,085, 31.55%
• No, 2,354, 68.45%

Environmental groups sue Hermantown, Google, over data center review

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Grand Rapids to host 2026 Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener

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Area Voices: Documentary 'Medicine Ball' premieres Nov. 9

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Lake of the Woods

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The school board of Independent School District No. 390 (Lake of the Woods) has proposed a project for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including roof repairs, exterior masonry; window replacements; flooring repair; the construction of site safety and traffic flow improvements to the school site and facility; the completion of various deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects at that facility; the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training; the purchase and replacement of school buses and school-related transportation vehicles; and the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials. To provide funds for a portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000. To provide funds for the remaining portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.969% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy will raise approximately $400,000 for taxes payable in 2026, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the capital project levy authorization is approximately $4,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the issuance of the general obligation school building bonds and the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 390 be approved?

• Yes, 397, 57.87%
• No, 289, 42.13%

Recount likely after 4-vote difference in state Senate District 4 race

The 0.01% difference between candidates easily meets the criteria for a publicly funded recount.

Senator-elect Peggy Flanagan calls for new leadership of Senate Democrats

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Governor-elect Klobuchar promises to transform state government, grow economy 

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Littlefork-Big Falls (elect one)

2/2 precincts reporting, 100%

• Delane Klemetsen, 130, 49.24%
• Chelsey Melander (incumbent), 134, 50.76%
• Write-in, 0, 0.00%

Elections

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Delane Klemetsen and Chelsey Melander are running for I.S.D. 362, Littlefork-Big Falls, School Board.

Roseau

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The board of Independent School District No. 682 (Roseau Public Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $1,000 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the new referendum revenue authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 682 (Roseau Public Schools), Minnesota be approved?

• Yes, 945, 55.72%
• No, 751, 44.28%

Hermantown data center stirs up local races; recount called in MN District 4

Plus: Walz to open administration's final deer season in Grand Rapids.

Incumbents lose in Hermantown, St. Louis County races amid data center turmoil

Hermantown City Council incumbent Andy Hjelle lost the 2026 election to Emma Richtman and Candi Mock. Newcomers Kris Eilers and Timothy Mattson won in their districts for St. Louis County Board of Commissioners.

The Setlist: Where to hear live music Nov. 5-6, 2026

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Wadena-Deer Creek

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The board of Independent School District No. 2155 (Wadena-Deer Creek), Minnesota has proposed to revoke the School District's existing voter approved referendum revenue authorization of $563.29 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $938.29 per pupil, increasing the School District's general education revenue by $375 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and applicable for five (5) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the existing referendum revenue authorization be revoked and the new authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 2155 (Wadena-Deer Creek), Minnesota be approved?

• Yes, 579, 30.25%
• No, 1,335, 69.75%

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Gallery: Northern Minnesotans vote on Election Day

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Spot, Tiny, Fubbles, Mr. Stretchy Legs and Wibbits: Students consider frog names

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Dandelions have impressive adaptations for spreading their cottony seeds

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Walker-Hackensack-Akeley

3/3 precincts reporting, 100%

Question 1: Shall the board of Independent School District No. 113 (Walker-Hackensack-Akeley), Minnesota, be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount
not to exceed $15,900,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, safety and security upgrades, deferred capital maintenance projects, accessibility improvements, classroom updates and track and field improvements?

• Yes, 813, 69.02%
• No, 365, 30.98%

Question 2: If School District Question 1 above is approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 113 (Walker-Hackensack-Akeley), Minnesota, be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, an additional parking lot and construction of a new bus maintenance shop?

• Yes, 765, 65.22%
• No, 408, 34.78%

Voters elect Bakken, Frenzel, Johnson to Bemidji School Board

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Wiener heads to MN Senate after defeating Fynboh in District 5 race

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Republican Heintzeman defeats DFL's Slipy in Senate District 6 rematch

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Warroad

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The board of Independent School District No. 690 (Warroad), Minnesota has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 2.90948% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $250,000 for taxes first levied in 2025, payable in 2026, and will be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $2,500,000. The proposed authorization will provide funds to finance the purchase and installation of software and technology equipment; costs related to the support and maintenance of technology; costs related to training staff in the use of technology; and the purchase and installation of classroom and curriculum technology. Shall the capital project levy authorization to fund technology proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 690 (Warroad), Minnesota be approved?

• Yes, 232, 63.02%
• No, 412, 63.98%

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Minnesota Democrats secure majorities in state House and Senate

With Democrat Amy Klobuchar’s victory in the governor’s race, Minnesota will again have a DFL trifecta after two years of shared control with Republicans.

Klobuchar, Flanagan swap capitals; DFL captures state Senate, House

Plus: Sheriff Bryan Welk reelected in Cass County; Itasca County commissioner districts flip in rematches; and constitutional amendment passes, but local school funding measures fail.

Win-E-Mac

1/1 precincts reporting, 100%

Question: The school board of Independent School District No. 2609 (Win-E-Mac) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $800 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would first be levied in 2025 for taxes payable in 2026 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced by law. Shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 2609 (Win-E-Mac) be approved?

• Yes, 273, 57.72%
• No, 200, 42.28%

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Republican Green keeps seat in Senate District 2

Republican state Sen. Steve Green will return to St. Paul in January 2027 after beating out two challengers for his seat.

Davis wins over Grigsby for House District 6A

Republican state Rep. Ben Davis will return to St. Paul for a third term in January 2027.

Slate of 'common sense' candidates elected to Brainerd School Board; referendum fails

The school district will need to make budget cuts in the wake of the referendum failure. A trifecta of "common sense" candidates elected to the Board will help the district navigate the challenge.