The Plan

Stabilizing our district’s budget and future

Three ballot questions to authorize new levies to support student learning

Thief River Falls Public School District is asking voters to consider three ballot questions which would authorize new levies to help stabilize the district’s budget, recruit and retain quality staff, invest in learning technology and protect class sizes. The levies would also support new investments in security, mental health services, and career and technical education programming.

Question One

Question One seeks to authorize a new operating levy of $750 per-pupil to provide $1,375,190 annually for a 10-year term.* This funding would be used to temporarily prevent budget cuts, retain quality staff, and invest in school security, mental health services and career and technical education programming. Passage of Question One would create 3-4 years of financial stability for our district.

Question Two

Question Two would authorize a capital projects levy (CPL) of $800,000 per year for a 7-year term, if approved. 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 help alleviate pressure on our district’s general fund.

Question Three

Question Three would authorize an additional operating levy of $407 per-pupil to provide $746,273 annually for a 10-year term.* This funding would support the same services as Question One by strengthening our district’s general fund and avoiding deficit spending. This additional operating levy would create an additional 2-3 years of financial stability for our district’s budget.

*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.

Why is the district proposing three referendum questions instead of just one?

Three ballot questions offer voters a choice regarding the level of investment the district should make. 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.

What if the referendum does not pass?

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

  • 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

Learn more about how the investment plan was developed.