School Board shares information on Nov. 3 referendum questions
By the Ortonville Public Schools Board of Education and Superintendent Kristopher Evje The Ortonville Public School Board is sharing information with residents about two referendum questions that will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. The questions address different areas of District funding and are intended to support the District’s ongoing operational, programming, technology, safety and capital needs. This referendum is not related to the recent unsuccessful building bond proposed in February 2025. The School Board and District continuously evaluate available resources to ensure students have access to a high-quality education. For the past nine years, Ortonville’s current operating referendum provides $597 per pupil and has served the District well. This vital funding helps support educational programs, community education, staffing, and day-to-day operations. During that same period, however, costs have continued to rise and numerous unfunded or partially funded mandates have been added. Things like the READ Act, free school meals, paraprofessional requirements, ESST, and most recently, Paid Family Leave are all beneficial to our students and staff, but add financial and administrative burden to our budget. Local operating referendum support has become increasingly common across Minnesota. Today, the statewide average operating referendum is approximately $1,187 per pupil, nearly twice Ortonville’s current level, with roughly three out of every four Minnesota school districts relying on voter-approved operating referendum revenue to help sustain educational opportunities for students. As our existing authorization approaches expiration at the end of the 2027-2028 school year, the Board has prioritized planning ahead rather than jeopardizing many programs if the funding is allowed to lapse. Without additional action and investment, the financial impact would be broad enough that virtually every area of the District’s programming and operations would need to be considered as part of future budget reductions. While the proposed operating referendum still puts us below the statewide average, the District carefully considered the needs of the school and the impact on taxpayers. The tax impact on a $200,000 home is approximately $17.30 more a month.
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