Frequently Asked Questions

On Tuesday, November 7, voters in Thief River Falls Public School District will consider three ballot questions which, if approved, will authorize new funding to protect the long-term stability of the budget, retain talented staff, and invest in technology, small class sizes and new learning opportunities.

• Question One: Seeks to authorize a new operating levy of $750 per-pupil for a 10-year term.*

• Question Two: Seeks to authorize a capital projects levy (CPL) of $800,000 per year for a 7-year term.

• Question Three: Seeks to authorize an additional operating levy of $407 per-pupil for a 10-year term.*

Questions Two and Three are contingent upon Question One passing.

*A previous version of this webpage incorrectly listed the per-pupil amounts for Questions One and Three as $740/pupil and $460/pupil respectively. We regret the error.

For over 15 years, the funding formula that Minnesota uses to determine per-pupil spending has lagged behind the rate of inflation. This inadequate funding has put significant pressure on our district’s finances. Over the last six years, the school board has cut spending by nearly $2.7 million, about 10% of the total budget. Despite these cost reductions, our district still faces a projected deficit of $2.4 million by the 2025-2026 school year. Without an additional revenue source, further cuts to our operating budget are inevitable.

The proposed referendum offers residents the opportunity to stabilize our district’s budget using voter-approved levies to pay for student services that state funding doesn’t cover. These levies will prevent new cuts to staff and student programming and make critical investments in new learning opportunities for students.

An operating levy is a local tax that helps fund operating expenses for a public education. Revenue from an operating levy can be spent on a variety of operating costs, including staffing, classroom supplies, program costs, utilities and routine maintenance.

Yes. Approximately 70% of rural school districts in Minnesota have active voter-approved operating levies to support learning, including each of the six school districts bordering ours.

A capital projects levy (CPL) is a type of voter-approved funding that can only be used for specific expenses, such as facility improvements, educational equipment or technology. But unlike an operating levy, the tax impact of a CPL is spread across a wider variety of property types. This results in a lower tax burden on homeowners.

Each ballot question would provide a different level of stability to our district’s operating budget. Having a stable budget ensures that our district can continue to recruit and retain staff and protect learning opportunities for students.

• Question One: This funding would be used to temporarily prevent budget cuts, retain quality staff, and invest in school security, mental health services and CTE programming. Passage of Question One would create 3-4 years of financial stability for our district.

• Question Two: The CPL would complete funding for the district’s 1:1 technology plan, which ensures all students have access to reliable learning technology at school and at home. The CPL would also invest in security and safety improvements in the district’s buildings, and help alleviate pressure on our district’s general fund.

• Question Three: This funding would support the same services as Question One, but would create another 2-3 years of financial stability.

The success of local schools and their communities are deeply interconnected. Strong schools help attract new families to our community and prepare students for careers at local businesses. Across Minnesota, stronger schools mean stronger communities and local economies.

If voters approve the referendum, a $150,000 home would see an estimated property tax increase of $27.90 per month starting in 2024. Per question (for a $150,000 home):

• Question One: $15.06 per month

• Question Two: $4.66 per month

• Question Three: $8.18 per month*

You can easily determine the impact of the referendum on your home or business property using our tax calculator.

*A previous version of this webpage incorrectly listed the tax impact of Question Three on a $150,000 home as $9.25/month and the total referendum impact as $28.97/month. We regret the error.

Three ballot questions offer voters a choice regarding the level of funding the district should receive. While approval of Question One would provide 3-4 years of financial stability to retain staff and protect student programs, questions Two and Three offer voters the opportunity to invest in even longer-term fiscal stability over the next decade.

Farmland is exempt from operating levies but is taxed by capital projects levies. If Question Two is approved, farmland will be taxed based on acreage and the net tax capacity of our district.

No. If approved, the operating levies proposed by questions One and Three would remain in place for a 10-year period, while the capital projects levy would expire after seven years. The school board would have the option to renew the operating levies in 2033, but any increase would require voter approval.

If voters reject the referendum, the school board will need to make further cuts to the budget. While specific reductions would be determined during the board’s annual budgeting process, cuts could include the following:

Staff reductions among teachers, interventionists, custodians, nursing services, and/or parent and student connectors

• Fewer class sections and larger class sizes

• A reduction in activity and/or athletic programs

• Fewer investments in technology

In November 2021, voters in our district rejected a referendum that would have authorized a new operating levy of $987 per student. Following that referendum, many residents said they were unaware of the vote or expressed frustration that it was not clear why an operating levy was being proposed or what the revenue from the levy would be used for.

In response to this feedback, the Long-Term Planning Advisory Committee (LTPAC) worked to strengthen community involvement in the development of this investment plan. As a district, our goal is to improve communication with residents and ensure all voters have the information they need to make their voice heard on November 7.

In 2023, state lawmakers voted to increase per-student funding by 4% in 2023 and 2% in 2024. But even with these one-time increases, per-student funding is still relatively less than it was 15 years ago when accounting for inflation. Additionally, legislators added significant new spending mandates for schools, nullifying much of the benefit of these new increases might have on our operating budget.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. Early voting begins on Friday, September 22 via absentee ballot or in-person at the Pennington County Auditor’s Office. Visit the voting page to learn more about when and how to cast your vote.

Yes! Early voting is available via absentee ballot or in-person at the Pennington County Auditor’s Office, from September 22 through November 7. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or by hand to the elections office. To learn more about early voting or requesting an absentee ballot, visit the voting page.

Can’t find an answer to your question on this website? Reach out to us using the contact form on the Connect page. You can also contact Superintendent Chris Mills at chris.mills@myprowler.org.