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Farmington district outlines $8 million operating referendum, warns of program cuts if it fails
Summary
Superintendent Berg presented details of a proposed operating referendum that would generate roughly $8 million annually for 10 years (about $1,236.60 per student) beginning 2026‑27; administrators described programs that could be reduced if voters reject the question.
Superintendent Berg told the Farmington Public School District Board that the district will ask voters to approve an operating referendum that would add approximately $1,236.60 per student and is projected to generate about $8 million in new revenue annually for 10 years beginning in the 2026‑27 school year.
Berg said the request responds to rising costs tied to special education, multilingual supports, statutory changes and general inflation. He told the board special education center‑based classrooms increased from eight in 2021–22 to 21 in the current period and that the district recovers roughly half the cost for those services, leaving about $6 million annually to be covered from the general fund.
Berg also cited a growth in multilingual students (from about 3% in 2018–19 to 9.3% in 2024–25), new statutory costs such as paid family and medical leave, higher substitute costs tied to leave statutes, increased cyber and technology insurance, and higher learning management fees as drivers of the budget pressure.
If the referendum fails, administrators said the district would consider a range of budget reductions, including larger class sizes (an estimated two to three additional elementary students per classroom and possibly five to six at the high school), cuts to athletic and extracurricular offerings, elimination of some pull‑out interventions (fifth grade band and paid music lessons), reduced instructional coaching in literacy, math and science, reductions in behavioral supports and additional administrative cuts. Berg said each $1 million in reductions roughly equates to 10 full‑time equivalent positions.
Berg said the referendum question will be a single, straightforward ask (not a stepped or revokable structure) and that the district projects a net tax impact on a $350,000 home of about $534 in the first year (roughly $44 per month); he also noted that scheduled debt reductions in later years will lower tax bills in future years. Berg said absentee voting opens Sept. 19 and listed public information sessions: a virtual session Sept. 17, an in‑person session Sept. 23 at North Trail, Oct. 6 at Bachman (little theater) and Oct. 30 (virtual) — all beginning at 7 p.m.
Board members urged outreach and encouraged residents to attend information sessions. Several trustees emphasized that prior reductions had aimed to protect classroom programs and that the referendum would help restore or preserve services administrators said are under pressure.
The presentation was informational; the board did not vote on the referendum question at the meeting.
