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Rockford board calls Nov. 4 special election on two school ballot questions
Summary
The Rockford Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to place two questions on a Nov. 4, 2025 special election ballot: a $633 per-pupil general education revenue increase (10 years) and a contingent capital projects levy to fund technology, estimated to raise ~$250,000 in 2026.
The Rockford Board of Education voted unanimously July 21 to call a special election for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, to ask voters two separate School District questions on the ballot.
The resolution states the board proposes to increase general education revenue by $633 per adjusted pupil unit — abbreviated on the ballot as “per pupil” — with the authorization in effect for 10 years and indexed annually for inflation under state statute. The resolution says that change would require an estimated referendum tax rate of approximately 0.05193% of the district’s referendum market value for taxes payable in 2026.
The board also authorized placing a capital project levy question on the same ballot to fund technology. The resolution describes the capital project levy authorization as "1.136% times the net tax capacity of the School District," estimating it would raise about $250,000 for taxes payable in 2026 and support approximately $2,500,000 in projects over the authorization period. The resolution specifies that passage of the capital project question (School District Question 2) would be contingent on voter approval of the revenue question (School District Question 1).
The resolution directs statutory election steps including setting the polling hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 4, providing written notice to county auditors and the Commissioner of Education within statutory timeframes, mailing notices to taxpayers 15–45 days before the election, publishing required notices in the district’s official newspaper, posting sample ballots, and testing optical scan equipment at least three days before use.
Chair Gordee moved to approve the resolution, and Johnson seconded. "On a roll call vote, the following voted in favor: Gordee, Johnson, Hillstrom, Praska, and Sjodin," and the resolution was declared passed and adopted.
Next steps directed by the resolution include preparation of ballot language and coordination with county election officials on ballot printing, absentee ballot processing, establishment of a ballot board per Minnesota Statutes Section 203B.121, and the creation of a capital project referendum account if Question 2 is approved.
