Board advances $43.8M facilities referendum, sets special election April 14, 2026

The Little Falls Community Schools board advanced a two-question facilities referendum and voted to call a special election on April 14, 2026, after a staff presentation and a financial overview from the district’s advisors.

Financial advisor Michael (PTMA) described the project in two parts: Question 1 would authorize up to $34,305,000 in general obligation bonds for improvements that include indoor air-quality upgrades (HVAC), added instructional space and safety/security work at Little Falls Community High School; Question 2 would authorize up to $9,520,000 for additional gymnasium space — modeled as three courts on the south end of the high school — and associated site work. Michael said the combined estimated cost for both ballot questions is about $43,825,000. He outlined bond assumptions: a 20-year bond structure with estimated payoff on 02/01/2047, a pricing cushion of 0.75 percentage point on current interest-rate assumptions and a projected first tax impact in calendar year 2027 if voters approve the questions.

Board members discussed ballot language for Question 2 to ensure voters understand the proposal contemplates multiple gym courts and whether Question 2 should be contingent on Question 1. Michael explained the board may make Question 2 contingent on Question 1 or let each stand alone; the board retained the contingency language as written and approved the resolution to call the election by roll-call vote. The board also approved the required "review and comment" submission to the state describing project scope, estimated cost, and projected operational savings; staff cited estimated annual operational savings exceeding $1,000,000 from consolidating middle- and high-school space if the plan moves forward.

Michael presented an example tax impact for a $225,000 home: about $175 per year (≈$15/month) if only Question 1 passes; about $63 per year (≈$5/month) for Question 2 alone; combined impact was presented as roughly $20 per month for that example, with the advisor noting actual rates depend on bond pricing, final valuations and whether both questions pass. The board voted to approve the review-and-comment and to place the two questions before voters in April 2026.