Caledonia board calls May 6 special election to renew nonhomestead millage, opts to add cushion

The Caledonia Community Schools Board voted Jan. 27 to call a special election for May 6, 2025, to renew the district—s nonhomestead millage and to ask for additional millage authority intended as a cushion against future Headlee rollbacks.

Superintendent Dirk gave a detailed presentation on how the district—s foundation allowance and local nonhomestead tax interact. He said the state—s foundation allowance this year is $9,608 per pupil and that Caledonia—s full‑time equivalent enrollment is just over 5,000 students, producing about $48 million of foundation‑allowance revenue — roughly 68% of general‑fund revenue. Dirk said the district—s calculated nonhomestead taxable value is about $869,000,000 and that assumed local revenue from nonhomestead property on the state aid report was shown as more than $16,000,000.

Dirk told trustees that state law requires districts to levy up to 18 mills on local nonhomestead property as part of the foundation allowance calculation and explained the Headlee rollback mechanism that reduces mills when total taxable value rises faster than inflation. He said past Headlee reductions cost the district meaningful revenue, citing an earlier two‑year net loss that totaled roughly $186,200 in revenue. "If we don't [levy] all 18 mills, we forfeit the difference," Dirk said, describing the district—s exposure without renewal and without additional cushion.

Administration presented two ballot options. Option 1 would renew the currently authorized level (after prior Headlee reductions). Option 2 would renew and also ask voters to authorize additional mills as a cushion; Dirk told the board the law allows adding up to 5.5 mills as part of a renewal question. Staff recommended Option 2 to help maintain revenue stability across the five‑year period.

Trustee [name recorded in the motion] moved to adopt the option 2 resolution calling a special election for May 6, 2025; another trustee seconded the motion. The board voted to adopt the resolution (roll call recorded; motion passed). The district estimated the election cost at around $30,000 and explained the typical five‑year renewal cadence is partly to avoid repeated election expenses.

What happens next: staff will finalize ballot language and election logistics, present draft language and supporting materials to the board, and return to the next meeting with any final adjustments. The district will also publish voter information about what a nonhomestead renewal would mean for local businesses and nonresident property owners.

Provenance: Board presentation and discussion of the foundation allowance and Headlee mechanics began in Dirk's presentation (topic start SEG 345) and the motion to call the election (option 2) was moved and passed later in the meeting (motion recorded through SEG 944).