Moorhead school board approves two-question ballot asking voters for $5.75 per pupil operating referendum and $1.5 million annual capital levy

The Moorhead Area Public Schools Board of Education voted July 21 to place two independent questions on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot: an operating referendum of $5.75 per pupil and a capital projects levy that would generate $1.5 million annually for 10 years.

Superintendent Dr. Lunick presented the proposal and outlined a district funding gap that administrators estimate at roughly $9.5 million compared with inflation-adjusted funding levels. “The only option for districts to bridge a funding gap is to either cut budgets or request operating referendum or a capital projects levy,” Lunick said while reviewing state comparisons and tax-impact estimates.

Administrators recommended two separate questions rather than linking them so one successful vote would not be contingent on the other. The proposed operating question would be a per‑pupil levy (administration recommended $5.75 per…