MOORHEAD, MN – Moorhead Area Public Schools will be asking voters to approve a two-question referendum later this fall.
“This plan represents a balanced approach. We are asking for what we truly need,” School Board chairman Scott Steffes said. “At the same time, this funding will give us the stability to plan for the future and continue providing innovative, high-quality learning opportunities for every student.”
The referendum is designed to stabilize the district’s budget, while also protecting high-quality education and investing in critical operational and capital needs. Voters will head to the polls on November 4. Early voting will begin September 19.
“We’re making difficult decisions to balance our budget, including $4 million in cuts this year alone,” Superintendent Brandon Lunak said. “Without new funding, we face another $4 million in reductions next year, which will impact student instruction, including fewer staff positions, larger class sizes and reduced classes and programming. This referendum is about ensuring we can protect the high-quality education we provide.”
The first question asks voters to approve an operating levy. This levy would generate more than four million dollars annually for 10 years to fund the day-to-day operations at the school district. This would equate to $575 per pupil. The operations funds would include teacher and staff salaries, supplies, programs, utilities and maintenance.
The second question asks voters to approve a capital projects levy. The capital projects levy, used to support essential education equipment and tools, transportations and facility needs, would generate more than a million dollars annually for 10 years.
The two levies would generate more than five million dollars annually.
If question one would be approved, the owner of a median-value home ($250,000) would see an estimated property tax increase of nearly $19 per month. Question two’s approval would result in an estimated property tax increase of nearly five dollars per month. Those increases would begin in 2026.
