Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CHALLENGES

  • As we've looked at our building, we've seen more and more spaces being stretched beyond what they were designed for. Our trades and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms are outdated. We need more small-group spaces to support students, including those receiving Special Education services. Our entrance needs security improvements. Our HVAC systems are aging. And our cafeteria, commons, and physical education spaces no longer meet the needs of the students we serve today. 

    As we evaluate our building, we also compare it to the Minnesota Department of Education's current guidelines for school buildings. These guidelines help districts like ours understand whether spaces meet today's educational needs. This chart shows how our school compares.

    These are just a few examples of our biggest challenges. Visit Our Challenges Page to view a detailed list of our challenges, along with photos showing those needs. 

  • We’ve worked really hard to maintain our building and provide safe, supportive learning environments. Our building is close to 40 years old, so the hard work of our maintenance staff is a major reason our school has served students and staff well for so long. But as it ages, our needs grow. Because our budget is limited and can’t cover large-scale projects, voter-approved funding is the only available way to complete them. 

  • Education has changed greatly in the last 40 years, as well as what we provide. Since then, the way students learn—and what schools provide—has changed significantly. Today, we offer preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, all-day kindergarten, Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, college-credit opportunities, and many other programs that simply weren't part of our school's design nearly 40 years ago. 

  • Our school board has capped open enrollment to help maintain optimal class sizes. The students we serve through open enrollment also bring additional state funding into our district, helping support opportunities such as college-credit coursework, Career and Technical Education programming, activities, and athletics that benefit all students. Ultimately, our space issues are not solely due to increased enrollment but also to changes in education and in what we provide over the years. 

  • In the 2020/2021 school year, our total enrollment for grades K-12 was approximately 549 students. This last year, we had approximately 555 students. For the 2030/2031 school year, we are projected to have approximately 550 students. Our enrollment has remained, and is projected to remain, steady. We need spaces that support our students and staff well, while maintaining optimal class sizes. 

  • We have taken good care of our buildings and have managed our budgets as best we can. However, state dollars only go so far, and our building continues to age. The longer we wait to address our needs, the worse they will become and the more costly the repairs will be. The school board believes this is the best path forward for our district, and ultimately, our residents will decide whether we make this investment.

  • No. The Minnesota General Education formula allowance is the baseline per-pupil funding set by the state legislature, and state funding and purchasing power have not kept up with inflation since 2003. Although we use state dollars the best we can, we continue to face challenges due to that shortfall. Take a look at this chart here. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS

  • We started understanding and evaluating our needs in 2024. We’ve worked really hard to ensure our community is involved in this process, and we’ve taken many steps to get to this point. Here’s what we’ve done, starting with the most recent: 

    • June 2026: Our school board approved moving forward with a three-question building bond referendum and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan to address our most critical needs. 

    • May 2026: We gathered the results from our community survey and presented those to our school board. The plan was once again revised to reflect our community’s feedback. 

    • April 2026: We held a community open house to gain additional input from community members. Approximately 130 people attended, and residents who couldn’t attend were encouraged to review the presentation online and provide feedback via an online survey. Since the open house, Superintendent Seykora and our district administration have continued to hold small-group conversations and meetings. 

    • March 2026: We continued to engage with staff, administration, and our school board, we held several work sessions to adjust the plan based on input, we prioritized needs based on balanced input and affordability, and we considered the following factors: financial opportunities, tax impact, project timeline, most critical needs, and student benefits.

    • February 2026: We revised the conceptual floor plans based on feedback, our Community Finance Action Committee provided input on our needs, our communications team kicked off, and we updated plans and budget estimates for the school board to review.

    • January 2026: District leadership team provided input on needs, facility plans were developed based on data collected, and feedback was gathered on layout, priorities, and concerns

    • December 2025: We gathered feedback from our community survey and shared the results with our school board. That input, along with our facility assessments, educational adequacy results, and demographic data, was used to update our understanding of the district's facility needs. From there, we revised the previous facility plan to reflect our community's priorities, staff and student feedback, and critical deferred maintenance needs.

    • Fall 2025: We held debrief meetings with our school board and staff, took the time to identify key takeaways following the failed April referendum, and conducted a community-wide survey.

    • Spring 2025: Our single-question building bond referendum that proposed a $41.55 million investment failed on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Results were 702 no votes to 286 yes votes. 

    • October 2024: We held an Ice Cream Social Open House to answer questions and gather feedback. The event featured updates on the planning process, feedback that we received so far, and drafts of the plan. 

    • July to September 2024: We created a Community Action Committee made up of about 20 members of our community and a few board members. They met regularly to help determine how to prioritize our needs. 

    • June 2024: We conducted an online community survey to gather additional feedback, which had approximately 266 responses. 

    • May 2024: We conducted an online staff survey to gather additional feedback. 

    • April 2024: We hosted a community meeting to review the results of the listening sessions and facilities assessments, and answer residents’ questions. 

    • February 2024: We held listening sessions with our school board members, staff, students, and parents. 

    • December 2023: We hired a facility planning and construction partner, ICS, to help us work through the process. 

  • After last April, we heard your feedback and regrouped. We heard your concerns about the cost and scope, and we listened. 

    • In Fall 2025, we conducted a community-wide survey and combined that feedback with our facility assessments, educational adequacy results, and demographic data to update our facility needs. We then revised the prior facility plan to reflect our community’s priorities, staff and student feedback, and critical deferred maintenance needs. In December 2025, we gathered the results from our community survey and presented them to our school board. 

    • In January 2026, our team provided input on needs, facility plans were developed based on data collected, and feedback was gathered on layout, priorities, and concerns. In February 2026, we revised the conceptual floor plans based on feedback, our Community Finance Action Committee provided input on our needs, our communications team kicked off, and we updated plans and budget estimates for the school board to review. In March 2026, we continued to engage with staff, administration, and our school board, we held several work sessions to adjust the plan based on input, we prioritized needs based on balanced input and affordability, and we considered the following factors: financial opportunities, tax impact, project timeline, most critical needs, and student benefits. 

    • In April 2026, we held a community open house to gain additional input from community members. Approximately 130 people attended, and residents who couldn’t attend were encouraged to review the presentation online and provide feedback via an online survey. Since the open house, Superintendent Seykora and our district administration have continued to hold small-group conversations and meetings. In May 2026, we gathered the results from our community survey and presented those to our school board. The plan was once again revised to reflect our community’s feedback. Ultimately, our school board approved moving forward with a three-question building bond referendum and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plan to address our most critical needs in June 2026.

    • Although last year’s referendum didn’t pass, our needs haven’t gone away. What we heard helped shape the plan you’ll see this November. 

  • Yes! We submitted a Review and Comment document to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), a required step for building bond referenda. The MDE carefully reviews project plans, financial data, and facility assessments to ensure the proposal addresses real needs and is fiscally responsible.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAN

  • You will consider three separate ballot questions on Tuesday, November 3. Question 1 focuses on additions and renovations that support student learning and improve safety. This includes updated Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces, additional classrooms, improvements to existing learning spaces, a secure entrance, updates to the kitchen, cafeteria, and restrooms, and other needed building improvements and maintenance projects. 

    Question 2 would add a new multi-purpose physical education and fitness area, along with supporting spaces such as restrooms and additional parking. This question can only pass if Question 1 passes. 

    Question 3 would add a new bus maintenance building to help support our transportation needs and provide additional space for maintaining school vehicles. This question can only pass if Question 1 passes.

    For a full list of details, visit The Plan Page.

  • In short, levies are for learning, and bonds are for buildings. A building bond referendum raises funds for long-term facility improvements, such as new construction, major renovations, or deferred maintenance projects. An operating levy raises funds for day-to-day expenses, like staff salaries, utilities, classroom supplies, and educational programming. Bond referendum funds cannot legally be used for operational costs. The district is proposing a three-question building bond referendum on Tuesday, November 3.

  • We’re committed to managing taxpayer dollars well. Levies are for learning, and bonds are for building, and we are required to use those dollars for those purposes. Our biggest needs are related to our building, where our students learn and where our staff teaches, which is why we are asking you to consider a building bond referendum. 

  • Yes. Minnesota school boards can approve certain projects without voter approval as part of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) plans. These dollars can be used for things like asbestos abatement, indoor air quality, fire suppression, and roofing. Our school board approved $8.07 million for important improvements that will help keep our building safe and functional for students and staff.

    Using these dollars, we will do the following: 1) Update our building’s electrical service throughout our entire school to improve overall energy efficiency, 2) Replace our existing fire alarm system to improve safety for all students and staff, 3) Complete HVAC upgrades, primarily converting steam to hot water systems, to improve indoor air quality and occupant comfort, and 4) Replace several roof sections that have reached the end of their useful life to protect our building from water issues, reduce ongoing maintenance needs, and extend its lifespan. 

  • The projects outlined in the question above are needed regardless of our proposed referendum. Utilizing our board authority now 1) reduces overall project costs, 2) stabilizes project timelines, and 3) protects and preserves our current facilities. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) provides this authority, so districts like ours can maintain safe and functional buildings without delay, rather than relying solely on voter-approved projects.

  • Yes. You can view conceptual drawings for each ballot question and the non-voter-approved work on our Plan Page. These are not finalized and simply show the different areas that will be addressed in the plan. Schools don’t typically invest in developing detailed design plans until funding is secured. 

  • State law requires school districts to present one facility plan per ballot question. We explored alternatives but determined that this three-question bond best meets our current needs while respecting taxpayer resources. 

  • Ultimately, you will decide whether to invest in our school. If the referendum fails, we will not make these improvements. The challenges in our building will continue to grow, and the costs of addressing them will likely increase. Our school board will re-evaluate the next steps forward, which may include another voter-approved referendum. 

  • For our students, it will create healthier schools, enhanced learning spaces, expanded opportunities, and a safer environment. For our staff, it will create improved teaching conditions, provide greater instructional flexibility, and increase efficiency and morale. For our community, it would create a stronger school-community relationship, expand community use, build confidence in our long-term planning, and avoid higher future costs. For more information, visit The Plan Page. 

  • After last April, we heard your feedback and regrouped. We heard your concerns about the cost and scope, and we listened. There are several differences between this plan and the one put before voters last year, including: 

    • Instead of a single ballot question, our school board decided to present three to voters, allowing you to consider those investments separately.

    • The overall construction cost of the project was reduced from $41.55 million to $17.575 million. 

    • The scope of the project was significantly reduced, and the following components are not included in the November bond referendum: an athletic and activities complex, a football field and track, a concessions/restroom facility, grandstand bleachers, a press box, a team room building, a playground, and a parking area. In addition, not every classroom will receive updates – only the classrooms with the most critical needs. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IMPACT

  • Question 1 asks for $11.1 million, Question 2 asks for $6.05 million, and Question 3 asks for $425,000. The total voter-approved project cost is estimated at $17.575 million, including all issuance and financing costs. If approved, the investment would be supported by a property tax increase that would take effect in 2027 and expire in 2046, or when the bonds for the project are paid, whichever comes sooner. Learn more by visiting The Impact Page.

  • If approved by voters, the estimated tax impact for a $386,100 home would be $23 per month for Question 1, $13 per month for Question 2, and $1 per month for Question 3–a combined $37 per month if all three questions pass. The bonds would be issued for 20 years, starting in 2027, if voters approve any/all of the questions. To find out your estimated tax impact, use our online tax calculator available here.

  • We have worked closely with our project team to ensure our project remains within budget. If approved, all revenue from the tax increase will go directly to the proposed projects. We cannot spend more than the amount stated on the ballot. 

  • For a $386,100 home, the tax impact will be about $10.75 per month starting in 2027.

  • Yes! You may be eligible for ways to offset increases to your property taxes from the referendum, including 1) the homestead credit refund, 2) a special one-year refund, 3) senior tax deferral, and 4) renters’ property tax credit. 

  • Through the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Homestead Credit Refund Program offers a refund to homeowners who meet certain qualifications. The amount of the refund is based on household income and total property taxes paid. To receive the refund, you must file Form M1PR with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The proposed referendum may make you eligible for this refund or increase the amount you receive. Here is a table illustrating some examples of the impact relative to the proposed bond referendum. Learn more here.

    The requirements include: 

    1. Your total household income must be less than $142,490.

    2. You must be a Minnesota resident or part-year resident to qualify for a property tax refund.

    3. You must have owned and occupied your home on January 2, 2026.

    4. Your property must be classified as your homestead, or you must have applied for homestead classification and had it approved.

    5. Your homestead must have no delinquent property taxes. Generally, property taxes are not delinquent if you have either paid them or signed a confession of judgment.

  • The Seasonal Recreation Property Tax Base Replacement Aid (STBRA) is new legislation from the 2026 session that reduces the local cost of voter-approved operating referendums in school districts with a high concentration of seasonal recreational property. This is a benefit for taxpayers in school districts with current operating levies in place, not for those that don’t. Our district does not currently have an operating levy in place.

    If voters were asked to consider an operating referendum, our district would qualify for this state aid. Under the current funding formula, the State of Minnesota would provide 50% of the funding for a voter-approved operating levy, reducing the amount funded through local property taxes.

    However, STBRA does not apply to building bond referendums. We are asking residents to consider a building bond referendum on Tuesday, November 3.

  • School building bond projects are based on the entire tax base, including seasonal recreational (cabin) owners. The change from the 2026 legislative session applies to operating referendums and how the taxes are applied.

    Minnesota law limits how different types of school projects can be funded. Operating referendums fund annual operating expenses such as staffing, programs, and educational services. Building bond referendums fund long-term capital improvements, such as renovations, additions, safety and security upgrades, and major building system replacements. In short, levies are for learning, and bonds are for buildings. Because we’re asking voters to consider a building bond in November, it is not eligible for STBRA funding.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING

  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Early voting will begin on Friday, September 18, and will be available through Monday, November 2. Learn more by visiting our Voting Page.

  • There are two ways to vote early/absentee–by mail or in person, available from Friday, September 18, through Monday, November 2. Here’s how: 

    Vote early/absentee by mail: You can vote early/absentee at home by mail by completing an absentee ballot application and returning it to the following address: 

    Hubbard County Auditor Treasurer
    Hubbard County Government Center
    301 Court Avenue
    Park Rapids, MN 56470

    Once your absentee ballot application is received, you will be sent an absentee ballot in the mail. You will follow the included instructions and return your completed absentee ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Any absentee ballots received after that time won’t be counted, so make sure to plan ahead!

    Vote early/absentee in person: You can vote early/absentee in person at the Hubbard County Auditor/Treasurer’s office, located on the first floor of the Hubbard County Government Center at 301 Court Avenue, Park Rapids, MN 56470. In-person early/absentee voting is available on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

    Starting Friday, October 16, you can also vote early in person by marking your ballot and feeding it directly into a tabulator–just like Election Day. 

  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Here’s where you will vote, and you can also check out this link for more information. 

    • Residents who live in the City of Nevis and Nevis Township: Nevis City Hall Conference Room, located at 104 Main Street, Nevis, MN 56467

    • Residents who live in Mantrap Township: Mantrap Town Hall, 23494 240th Street, Nevis, MN 56467

    • Residents who live in Henrietta Township: Henrietta Township Hall, 19401 State Highway 226, Park Rapids, MN 56470

    • Residents who live in Hubbard Township: Hubbard Community Center, 12141 County Road 6, Park Rapids, MN 56470

    • Residents who live in Crow Wing Lake Township: Crow Wing Lake Township Hall: 13013 Blackberry Drive, Nevis, MN 56467

  • Registered voters in the townships of Thorpe, Akeley, and White Oak are mail-ballot precincts and will automatically receive a ballot to complete and return. 

    If you live in one of those areas and are not registered to vote, please do sohereno later than Friday, September 18. If you are not a registered voter, a ballot will not be automatically mailed to you, and you must request an absentee ballot using the instructions below. If you are unsure whether you are registered, click here. Here are the instructions to request a ballot if you are not a registered voter by Friday, September 18.

    • To receive a ballot, you must complete an absentee ballot application. Download an application, complete it, and return it to the Hubbard County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office, located at 301 Court Avenue, Park Rapids, MN 56470.

    • Once Hubbard County receives your completed absentee ballot application, an absentee ballot will be sent to you to complete.

    • Complete your absentee ballot and return it either by mail or in person to the Hubbard County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.

    All completed absentee ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Clickhereto track your absentee ballot once it’s submitted. Due to postal delays, if you plan to vote by absentee ballot by mail, send your completed ballot no later than Tuesday, October 20, to ensure it arrives on time. Otherwise, return your completed absentee ballot in person.

  • Yes. You can view a sample ballot here.

  • No. Per Minnesota state statute, voting eligibility is determined by your permanent legal residence. Owning property in our district does not grant voting rights. To cast a ballot in our election, your permanent primary home must reside within our district, and you must register using your primary residential address. 

  • Yes. There is also a constitutional amendment related to school funding on the ballot. 

    The Permanent School Fund (PSF) is one of the oldest sources of funding for public education in our state, established in 1858. Dollars are allocated to districts on a per-pupil basis and used for general operating expenses, such as classroom and teaching costs. The amendment proposes to increase how annual distributions from this fund are calculated. This is not a local property tax, and all voters will be asked to consider this question. 

    Currently, districts receive $68 per student, which amounts to approximately $39,000 for our district. If this amendment is approved, we would receive approximately $16,000 in additional funds each year to use for general operating expenses. 

    For Minnesota constitutional amendments, leaving the question blank effectively counts as a “no” vote, because passage requires a majority of all voters casting ballots in the election. For more information, check out this link.

QUESTIONS ABOUT DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION

  • If voters approve the referendum, here is the tentative timeline for the project. These dates are subject to change. 

    • Design and Pre-Construction: January 2027 - September 2027

    • Plan Review: September 2027 - January 2028

    • Project Bid/Award: November 2027 - December 2027

    • Construction: May 2028 - August 2029

  • If the referendum passes, we will begin the design process, led by ICS and JLG. Your input is really important to us during the process, and we will involve our staff, administrators, community members, and students who will work with this team throughout the design process. Input will be asked for and encouraged to ensure the design of our renovated school best represents our students, staff, and community who will use it. We will communicate with residents throughout the process as the design continues. 

  • Yes! Local contractors will have the opportunity to bid on the project if our community approves it. Our project team will make sure the work scopes are advertised to all contractors, including local ones. Minnesota law states that school districts must accept the lowest qualified bids for public school work.

  • If the referendum is approved, we will work closely with our project team, teachers, and staff to carefully plan construction in phases that minimize disruptions to learning and daily routines. Construction activities would typically be scheduled for the summer months whenever possible. For work that must happen during the school year, crews would coordinate closely with school leadership to keep construction areas safely separated from student spaces with secure barriers and signage.

    Our top priority throughout the project would be maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for students and staff. Clear communication with families, staff, and the community will help everyone know what to expect as work progresses. Thanks to thoughtful planning and phased construction, students would continue learning in their usual classrooms while gaining the excitement of seeing new, modern spaces take shape around them.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

  • You can visit our Connect Page to complete a short form. We’ll do our best to respond within two business days. 

  • Yes! We are planning to hold an informational meeting and will let you know when those details are finalized. 

  • Yes! We’re committed to ensuring you have accurate, transparent, and timely information about our upcoming building bond referendum. Additional resources are available on our Resources Page, including our Fast Facts Flier, our Review and Comment, and more.