Hopkins board hears referendum 101: estimates show large potential revenue; waiver option available

Hopkins School District staff gave a detailed "Referendum 101" briefing Oct. 8, outlining how operating referendums, capital-project levies and bonds raise locally controlled property-tax dollars and what board choices and deadlines the district faces.

Director (speaker 4) and Director Chapinduca (speaker 13) said staff have established a referendum team with finance, communications, buildings and principal representatives and are working with external partners to scope options, estimate tax impacts and plan community engagement. Preliminary revenue estimates presented to the board included about $17.5 million in operating referendum revenue (roughly 13% of the district's budget) and about $15.5 million in capital-projects levy revenue (about 11%). Staff described those numbers as preliminary and tied to outreach and scope decisions.

Staff also described a recent legislative waiver that, under the biennium language cited, could allow school boards to approve an operating referendum without sending it to voters during a window starting July 1, 2025, and ending June 15, 2027. Staff emphasized that the waiver is optional; capital-project levies and bond questions still require voter approval.

The board asked about timing and next steps: staff recommended further scoping with partners (SiteLogic and Fielding), additional community engagement and a formal board update at the Nov. 26 meeting. If the board chooses a voter-based path, staff noted key filing deadlines tied to different election dates (May, August, November). The presentation flagged the need for a communications plan that explains tax impacts and the district's needs so voters can make an informed choice.