By Rich Larson, KYMN News
The Northfield School District is preparing to consider a significant funding decision this spring, as Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann announced the district’s intent to utilize a new Minnesota law that allows school boards to renew an operating levy one time without holding a voter referendum.
The option, created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023, gives locally elected school boards the authority to extend an existing voter‑approved operating levy under the same terms originally approved by residents. For Northfield, that levy dates back to 2017, when voters authorized the largest per‑pupil operating levy allowed by state statute, along with a 10‑year term and an inflationary factor.
While many residents remember 2017 as the year a large facilities referendum failed, Hillmann noted that the operating levy passed by a comfortable margin—and today generates roughly $9 million annually, or about 13% of the district’s total revenue.
“That is a really big deal,” Hillmann said. “We can’t mess around with 13% of our revenue. Stable projections are essential, and we can’t assume that funding will continue without formal action.”
The current levy expires at the end of fiscal year 2028. Under the new statute, school boards may renew such a levy once during a designated window, maintaining the original terms. Hillmann and Director of Finance Val Mertesdorf will recommend that the board exercise that authority this spring as part of the 2025–26 budget planning cycle.
However, Hillmann emphasized that the authority rests solely with the board. If board members choose not to use the statutory option, he said the district would need to place the renewal before voters on the 2026 ballot.
A public hearing—required under the new law—will be held March 19 from 6 to 8pm at the district office in the former Longfellow School gymnasium. Community members will be invited to learn about the proposal, ask questions, and share comments directly with the board.
Hillmann said the district is committed to transparency throughout the process, calling this the first step in what will be a well‑publicized community discussion. If renewed, the levy would extend approximately another decade, likely through 2038, though specific dates will be finalized and communicated as planning continues.
“Today we simply want this on people’s radar,” Hillmann said. “Our community has always supported strong education, and we want to ensure they have every opportunity to weigh in.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
