VIRGINIA — The Rock Ridge School Board is considering renewing its operating levy, a power granted to them by a relatively new state law.
In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature gave school boards the power to renew an expiring levy approved by voters one time up to two years before its expiration. This authority was granted as referendum renewals were becoming an administrative burden for school districts because they passed nearly every time.
Rock Ridge’s current levy is a combination of the ones Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia were under when the districts consolidated. It’s a seven-year referendum levy that generates $189.67 per pupil, or roughly $483,000 a year.
If the Board decides to renew it, the exact same referendum would go into effect after the current one expires in 2026.
Since school boards were given renewal authority, 99 have had the option to do so. Of those boards, 61% have renewed, and 38% are still considering the option. Just one district went back to voters, requesting a longer term and adding inflation adjustment.
Rock Ridge technically has until June 2026 to pass the renewal. But Superintendent Noel Schmidt told the Board while it sounds like they have a lot of time, they really don’t.
“I need two years," he said at the Nov. 25 meeting. "If you’re going to take this to the voters. I need two years to prepare for this. That’s how important it is. Because you want the public to be fully informed.”
He further explained that to give the referendum its best chance at passing, the district would need to survey voters and have informational meetings throughout the district.
Board member Brandi Lautiger said she’s in full support of the renewal.
“Especially in our situation right now with our budget and looking at cutting teachers and other programs, and I think that it would be foolish of us not to renew it," she said.
Though the Board could have heard public comment and then passed the renewal last month, Lautiger wanted to give more notice to residents.
The Board plans to consider the renewal again at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 9. The district will also host its Truth in Taxation meeting that night, which board members noted adds extra importance to helping voters understand what this renewal means: because the terms stay the same, voters would not see a tax increase.
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