2023 Referendum

Overview | The Plan | Tax Impact | FAQ | Voting Information | Resources

Engaging Today, Empowering Tomorrow

The Chisago Lakes School Board calls for a special election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 to authorize general obligation bonds not to exceed $23,285,000 for facility improvements and authorize a $355 per pupil operating levy.

For information on our specific plan, please visit the Plan page.

Why do we need funding?

The State does not keep up with inflation

Funding in the state of Minnesota has not kept up with inflation
If it did, Chisago Lakes would generate approximately $5,355,885 million dollars of funding for students
- We would not have to ask for a levy
Regardless of our shortfalls, we been fiscally responsible in addressing these issues
We have made approximately $5 million in reductions in the last four years
- We ensure that we adjust our budget to balance our revenues and expenditures annually

A dollar has a different value by zip code

The states funding system is unfair
Since the Chisago Lakes School District is primarily residential, our taxpayers assume the burden of the cost
- Low business and industries to help offset our costs
If we had the same levy amounts in Hopkins and Chisago Lakes ….
- For every $1 of taxes in Hopkins, the schools get $7.16
- For every $1 in taxes in Chisago Lakes, the school gets $2.92

Maintaining your investment

Similar to a home or business owner, you must upkeep your property and investments to retain their viable usage and value
We have done as much as we can to sustain these items
- This plan provides decades worth of long-term solutions and save taxpayers money
  - We need to be good stewards of your money
For example, the same capital bond projects we asked our community to vote on in November of 2022 has increased in cost approximately 10%
- That’s an additional 2 million dollars in 10 months
If we wait another 2 years, the cost will be pushing closer to $30 million dollars

Your return on your investments

Quality Schools = Increased Property Values
- Research at Duke University (as reported in the New York Times) stated that schools and districts with high test scores see an increase in home values
  - Source: https://raleighrealtyhomes.com/blog/how-schools-impact-home-values/
- The Brookings Institute found in a study of home values in looking at 100 school districts in the largest metro area that communities with good schools saw an average increase in home values as much as $205,000
  - People will pay to live in good school districts
    - Source: https://raleighrealtyhomes.com/blog/how-schools-impact-home-values
- A recent report by the National Bureau of Economic Research stated for every dollar spent on a school, it increased home values by $20
  - This impacted everyone’s value positively regardless of if they had children in the home
    - Source: https://www.nber.org/digest/jan03/school-spending-raises-property-values

We heard you

We recognized that the ask last year was more than people were willing to invest in
We listened, looked at data for thresholds, and landed at numbers that were realistic for our voters
- We cut our ask by approximately 61%
  - From $925 to $355
- The tax impact is nearly 50% less than last year’s questions
We also tightened up our plan to make critical, fiscally prudent investments that protect what we have and sustain our District moving forward
- Waiting longer will increase costs on facilities projects

Contact Us

Email:

referenduminfo@isd2144.org

Voicemail

651-213-2030*

*Please note this is a voicemail only line. Someone will return your call within 24 business hours

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