Jefferson School Board votes to put four‑year $1.4 million referendum on Nov. 5 ballot

The Jefferson School District board voted unanimously to approve two linked resolutions that, if approved by voters, would let the district exceed state revenue limits by $1.4 million per year for four nonrecurring years and place that question on the Nov. 5 ballot.

In a brief motion-and‑voice vote, the board first adopted a resolution authorizing the budget language needed to exceed the revenue limit by the proposed amount and then passed a separate resolution providing for the referendum election. Chair called for a motion, a board member moved and a second was given, and the board approved both measures by voice vote.

Why it matters: District administrators presented the referendum as one option to stabilize finances while responding to a projected budget shortfall. The budget director told the board the district is projecting roughly a $650,000 deficit in the coming year and described a strategy that had included using an estimated $1.25 million for debt defeasance; the referendum would instead provide the district with additional revenue‑limit authority for operational needs.

The director described preliminary modeling showing an estimated mill‑rate impact of about one cent (the presentation characterized this as approximately a 1¢ increase relative to last year’s mill rate). He stressed the figures are preliminary: equalized valuations and state aid figures will be certified in mid‑August and finalized Oct. 1, and the district will have firmer numbers after the Oct. 15 revenue‑limit worksheet is complete.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members asked for clarity about the tradeoffs between debt prepayment and operational capacity; administrators said the proposal would reduce the portion of the levy earmarked for debt defeasance and shift that capacity to day‑to‑day operations for the four‑year period. Administrators said they will work with bond counsel and county/state offices to complete required public notices and ballot wording and will proceed to place the measure on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The meeting packet noted the $1.4 million ask is nonrecurring for four years; administrators said that after the four‑year window the district would reassess funding needs and, if necessary, return to voters. The board approved the resolutions and directed staff to publish notices and coordinate ballot preparations.

The board also scheduled a preliminary budget hearing for Aug. 26 and will finalize levy decisions in October as state certifications are completed.