Voters in two Northern Minnesota school districts will cast ballots next month.
Fisher, a small community west of Crookston in Polk County on Highway 2, is making its third attempt to pass an operating levy in as many years. The district’s measure failed by just 25 votes last November.
Absentee ballots can be picked up 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday in the district’s front office. In-person votes can be cast 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Fisher School Media Center.
The question in Nett Lake — home to the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa tribal government — won’t raise property taxes for residents. Rather, it allows already levied funds to be used to pay for building bonds.
Mail-in ballots were sent to all registered voters earlier this month, according to the district. Ballots must be delivered by 8 p.m. Aug. 12 for it to be counted.
Fisher
Fisher is asking voters for an additional $1,253.90 per pupil over the next 10 years, bringing the total per pupil to $1,414.90.
Fisher already has an operating levy of $161 per pupil, which is by far the lowest compared to neighboring districts. The closest is Fosston with a $436-per-pupil levy. The new levy would put Fisher in the middle of the pack, still lower than Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, Stephen-Argyle Central, Red Lake Falls and Goodridge.
This is the district’s third attempt to pass a levy in recent years, with 2023 and 2024 efforts falling short. Over 60% of voters rejected a $1,432-per-pupil measure two years ago. Last November’s referendum sought $15 more per pupil than the current proposal.
If approved, the measure would increase property taxes on a $200,000 home by an estimated $60.19 a month. Residents can calculate their exact impact here.
The district says the new operating levy would raise an additional $290,000, which would help rebuild its savings, retain staff and reinstate some student programs that were cut. If it fails, the district will have to make additional cuts.
District leaders said their budget has been crunched by inflation, increased state mandates and changes in the resources needed to support students, like mental health services and educational plans.
Fisher is currently in statutory operating debt, meaning its general fund balance is negative and the school has to borrow more than 2.5% of its operating expenses from the state.
The district has made significant reductions, including staff cuts, elimination of day care and ending agriculture, career and technical education and fine arts programs. With those cuts, it says it will be out of operating debt by the end of fiscal year 2025.
Nett Lake
Nett Lake, a kindergarten through sixth grade school, is asking voters to approve up to $495,000 in bonds to “provide funds for a phased program of acquisition and betterment of school sites, facilities and equipment.”
District leaders said the money would help maintain a safe, modern and welcoming environment.
“By supporting this referendum, community members are investing in the future of our school and ensuring that our facilities meet the needs of current and future generations,” the district stated on social media.
The result of the effort won’t impact property taxes. The district already levies the funds that it would use to pay for the bonds, as required by the state. With voter approval, the district can instead use those funds to pay down the authorized debt, rather than paying the state.
