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 pupil, with an inflation adjustment option); the capital question would be a stated tax rate to raise about $1.5 million per year for 10 years to pay for items such as deferred maintenance, school safety improvements, technology, transportation vehicles and curriculum materials.

District staff presented tax-impact estimates for a median house in the district (presented as $250,000). The administration said the operating question at $5.75 would increase taxes on that median home by about $18.91 per month; the $1.5 million capital levy would add roughly $4.83 per month on that same example, producing a combined monthly impact “under $24” in the administration’s estimate. Lunick noted staff intentionally favored an operating-per-pupil level that keeps the median‑home monthly effect under $20 to improve the chance of voter approval.

Board discussion covered ballot language, the need to explain per‑pupil mechanics in public materials, and how capital levy language can be written to allow flexibility. The proposed ballot language shown to the board included a broad list of allowable capital uses: “security and safety improvements, deferred maintenance and renovation projects, acquisition and maintenance of technology hardware, software, technical systems and school buses, and acquisition of curriculum materials.” Lunick said the district faces capital needs greater than $1.5 million per year but proposed that amount as a realistic starting point based on 10‑year projections.

A motion to approve the resolution calling the election and placing two separate questions on the November ballot passed on a roll call vote with all members present voting in favor. The motion (as recorded in the meeting) directed administration to submit the required review-and-comment material to the Minnesota Department of Education and set the referendum amounts at $5.75 per pupil for the operating question and $1,500,000 annual authorization for the capital projects levy.

What happens next: the board must submit the capital projects review-and-comment to the commissioner by the early-August deadline and formally call the election by the August 12 deadline for a November referendum. Administrators said they will prepare public information explaining tax impacts and allowable uses before the ballot goes to voters.

Votes at a glance Motion: Approve resolution calling election and placing two independent questions on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot (operating referendum $5.75 per pupil; capital projects levy $1,500,000 annual authorization). Mover: Laura Lee (recorded motion) Second: Matt (recorded second) Outcome: Approved on roll call; all members present voted aye.