District details levy communication plan, outlines potential $5.2M cuts if referendum fails

District communications staff presented an update Oct. 13 on the Moorhead Area Public Schools 2025 levy referendum communications and engagement campaign, including analytics, community feedback, and a financial framework the district would use if the referendum fails.

The district is asking voters two questions this fall — one operating and one capital — that staff say together would provide $5,870,000 annually if approved. Communications staff said the campaign emphasizes transparency, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and accessibility across website content, videos, presentations and social media. The district launched a levy website (vote152.org) in August and reported about 3,200 unique visitors and more than 7,000 page views through Oct. 7.

Presenter Brenda (last name not specified) summarized community feedback and said the district has already made $4,000,000 in cuts after the failed 2024 referendum and would need another roughly $5,200,000 in reductions for the 2026–27 budget if voters reject the November referendum. Staff provided an illustrative framework that allocates reductions proportionally by each area’s share of total expenditures; because instruction comprises roughly 65.8 percent of spending, it would carry a proportionate share of cuts and therefore likely face the largest classroom impacts.

Examples the presenter cited of prior reductions include eliminating the Chinese language program, reducing instructional coaching positions, cutting $100,000 from activities and athletics, removing 1.25 administrative positions, reducing transportation routes and delaying bus purchases, extending Chromebook replacement cycles, and reducing substitute and overtime budgets. The district said further reductions could mean fewer teachers, larger class sizes, fewer electives and reduced student support services.

The presenter also described outreach materials added in response to questions about tax impact, including links to state refund and credit programs (homestead credit refund, a special one-year refund, the senior property tax refund program, and the renter’s credit) and added FAQs on school safety and budget reductions. The board discussed separating extracurricular and cocurricular spending into a distinct category for clarity; board member Marlee asked whether extracurriculars are required by the state, and staff said they would provide clearer categorical breakdowns.

Staff emphasized the levy information will continue to be refined ahead of Election Day on Nov. 4 and urged community participation in early voting. No formal board action was taken on the levy communications update during the Oct. 13 meeting.