Frequently Asked Questions
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Annandale School Board is asking district voters to consider an operating levy that would provide $1.4 million ($750 per student) annually for the next 10 years. If approved by voters this November, our district will be able to stabilize our budget and continue providing the staff and programs that students rely on every day.
Learn more on our Plan page.
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If approved by voters this November, the operating levy would provide the necessary funding to stabilize the district’s budget and maintain staff, programing and class sizes. Having adequate staff and keeping class sizes smaller help ensure students get the assistance they need as they learn and grow.
To learn more, visit our Plan page.
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We project ongoing deficits in the coming years that will force continued cuts to programs and staff. This will undermine education in our schools and make us less competitive with our peer districts.
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An operating levy is a voter-approved property tax that helps fund a school district's day-to-day operations, such as teacher and staff salaries, classroom supplies, student programs and routine maintenance. Many schools use voter-approved operating levies to bridge funding gaps.
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The County Assessor determines the market value of a property, assigns property classifications and assesses taxable versus exempt status, and the Minnesota State Legislature defines which property classes are included or excluded from the operating levy.
To calculate the tax impact specifically for voter-approved operating levies, like the one Annandale is asking voters to consider this fall, Minnesota uses the property valuation referred to as Referendum Market Value (RMV. RMV excludes most agricultural land from the tax, limiting the tax to just the house, garage and one acre, and also excludes seasonal recreational property and other classes of property such as rural vacant land and student housing.
There are tax relief opportunities that you may qualify for.
Questions About The Plan
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Annandale Public Schools currently ranks 306 out of 328 school districts in Minnesota in terms of voter-approved funding.
After reducing our budget by $3.6 million in the past two year, including cutting 40 staff positions and spending down our fund balance, we are at a critical turning point. We need a long-term funding source to stabilize our budget, maintain quality education, and preserve our class sizes, staff, and programming.
Learn more on our Challenges page.
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A healthy fund balance serves as a financial safety net—it helps school districts manage cash flow, respond to unexpected expenses, and weather economic uncertainties without immediately turning to cuts in staff or programs. A responsible reserve is essential to protect educational quality and long-term financial stability, but we have had to spend against ours to preserve quality education in our district.
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Unfunded mandates are rules or programs that schools are required to follow, but the state doesn’t give any or enough money to cover the costs. Schools have to find the money themselves — often by cutting other programs or asking voters to approve levies.
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Six years ago, the district’s financial outlook was much stronger. Enrollment was rising, our fund balance was healthy, and a demographic study projected continued growth in student numbers—and therefore state and federal funding. The pandemic in 2020 dramatically shifted that outlook, bringing higher costs, slower enrollment growth, and ongoing financial challenges.
Questions About The Challenges
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An operating levy is a local property tax approved by voters that helps fund the general operations of a school district, including staff salaries and benefits, educational programming, classroom supplies and utilities. If voters approve the operating levy, it will provide the necessary funds to stabilize our finances, retain our outstanding staff, maintain strong classes, programs and services for students, and stay competitive.
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Over the past two years, we have been making reductions and adjustments, as well as spending down our emergency reserves. We have had to reduce our district budget by $3.6 million in the last two years, cutting approximately 40 staff positions, and raising activity fees and instituting a student parking fee to help balance our budget. For a long time, we have done more with less than our peers – Annandale Schools currently ranks 306th out of 328 Minnesota school districts in per student revenue, with an operating levy that only generates $79 per student.
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Before putting a proposal on the ballot, the school board reviewed a wide range of data and community input to determine both the need and the amount to request.
This included:
Annual budget review, predictions, and financial analysis.
Community and staff listening sessions in May and June 2025.
Preliminary tax impact analysis conducted by our financial consultant, Ehlers.
A per-pupil funding comparison chart prepared by Ehlers.
Five school board work sessions focused on budget and legislative updates.
Through this process, the board determined a dollar amount that reflects the district’s most pressing financial needs.
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Operating levies are funded through local property taxes. When voters approve an operating levy, the district is authorized to collect a specified amount of money per pupil each year for the duration of the levy.
Learn more on our cost page.
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Last year, a parent advocacy group raised $264,000 for our schools after the proposed operating levy did not pass.
These funds were very appreciated and were used to preserve staffing positions and student supports and programming for the 2025-26 school year. However, this one-time funding is not a long-term solution.
In order to maintain current staffing, programs and resources, we need an additional, long-term, stable funding source. That is why the district is seeking a voter-approved operating levy to raise $1.4 million annually over the next 10 years.
To learn more, visit our Plan page.
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Over the past four years, we have analyzed our budget and financial trends, conducted parent surveys, given community presentations, and held open houses and listening sessions. Since last November, we have conducted:
Annual budget review, predictions and analysis.
Community and staff listening sessions in May and June 2025
Preliminary tax impact analysis through our financial consultant, Ehlers.
Per-pupil funding comparison chart from Ehlers.
Five school board work sessions discussing budget and/or legislative updates.
A school board meeting discussing and approving an operating levy referendum (June 23, 2025).
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The district has worked with the community, staff and parents over the last several years to understand shared values and priorities and get feedback and input that helped shape the plan. Most recently, the district held four community/public listening sessions and two staff-only-listening sessions in May and June 2025.
Several community members attended the four listening sessions and provided input.
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When we held listening sessions with residents this past spring, the response was clear — residents told the district we need to clearly communicate our financial situation, the impact of the levy on students and programs, and how our district compares to others.
To learn more about these topics, please visit our Challenges and Cost pages.
Questions About The Process
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The district is asking voters to consider an operating levy that would provide $1.4 million ($750 per pupil) annually for the next 10 years to stabilize the budget and support staff, students and programing.
If approved by voters this November, this stabilized funding source would help put the funding our district receives in line with neighboring school districts.
Learn more on the Cost page.
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Minnesota offers several tax refunds and deferrals that can reduce the tax impact of a referendum. For example, over half a million Minnesotans receive the Homestead Credit Refund. Learn how this refund could potentially offset some of your tax impact from the referendum. Explore tax relief opportunities.
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If the referendum is approved by voters this November:
A home valued at $300,000 would see an increase of $19 per month.
A home valued at $450,000 would see a tax increase of $28 per month.
To calculate your specific tax impact, use the tax calculator on the Cost page.
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For agricultural landowners, the operating levy would apply to the house, garage and one acre of land.
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Per state law, operating levies apply to residential and commercial/industrial properties. For agricultural landowners, the operating levy would apply to the house, garage and one acre of land. Seasonal/recreational property would not be subject to a tax increase if voters approve the referendum.
To learn more about how your taxes may be impacted, visit our Cost page.
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No. The operating levy would be in place for a 10-year period, at which point the school board could consider reauthorizing it as a revenue source.
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Per-pupil funding is the amount of money a school district receives for each student enrolled. This funding comes from a combination of sources—primarily the state, along with federal funding and local property taxes. It helps cover the cost of essential resources like teachers, classroom materials, school supplies, and student activities.
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No. Families aren’t charged directly based on the number of children they have in school. However, if you live in the district and own property, you may contribute through property taxes.
Per-pupil funding is the amount of money a public school receives from various sources — mainly the state, along with federal funding and local property taxes — for each student enrolled. It helps cover the cost of teachers, classroom materials, transportation, meal programs, and more.
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Annandale has one of the lowest operating levies in the state at $79 per pupil, putting our district at 306th out of 328 districts for per-student revenue to use to support classroom education and resources. A chart detailing per-pupil funding of nearby districts can be found on the Challenges page.
To learn more about the cost and tax impact, visit the Cost page.
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Yes, the plan is to replace our current $79 per pupil operating levy with the $750 per pupil proposed levy as a long-term funding source. If approved this November, the proposed levy would overlap with our current levy for only two years before the current levy expires.
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While renters are not directly responsible for paying property taxes, a property tax increase approved by the referendum could still affect them indirectly. Landlords may choose to raise rent over time to offset the higher tax expenses.
Questions About The Cost
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Early in-person voting or voting via absentee ballot (by mail) begins Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 and runs through Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
To find your polling location and other voting details, please visit our Vote page.
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If the referendum does not pass, the district will be forced to make additional cuts to staff and programming – impacting class sizes, student support services, extracurriculars, and learning opportunities.