By Rich Larson
The Northfield School Board voted Monday night to renew the district’s operating levy without taking the question to voters, using authority granted under a Minnesota law passed in 2023.
The legislation allows locally elected school boards to renew a voter‑approved operating levy one time without holding another referendum, provided the renewal is under the same terms voters originally authorized. Northfield voters first approved the levy in 2017.
Superintendent Matt Hillmann said the Legislature adopted the policy after reviewing data showing that levy renewals are overwhelmingly approved by voters. According to the Minnesota School Boards Association, 87 of 90 operating levy renewals passed statewide between 2016 and 2024.
“The Legislature understands the depth of work a school district has to do to conduct an election, and more importantly, to inform the community,” Hillmann said.
Hillmann emphasized the board’s public engagement leading up to the vote. Discussions began in December and continued at every board meeting since January. In March, the district held a required public meeting, mailing postcards to every household in the district inviting residents to attend and provide feedback.
The board’s action extends the existing operating levy for 10 years beyond its current expiration date. The levy was originally approved at the maximum amount allowed under state law and includes an annual inflationary adjustment, which will continue under the renewal. The renewed levy is expected to take effect in fiscal year 2028.
The operating levy generates approximately $9 million annually, accounting for about 13 percent of the district’s general fund budget. Hillmann said that revenue has helped preserve academic programs, career and technical education offerings, arts programs, extracurricular activities and staffing levels, even as the district made $5.8 million in reductions last year.
Hillmann also pointed to declining enrollment as a continuing challenge, driven largely by lower birth rates and housing constraints, noting that enrollment trends reduce the district’s share of state funding.
“The operating levy is a bulwark against that decline,” he said.
Hillmann praised the board for its fiscal discipline and long‑term planning, noting that the district has presented a surplus general fund budget for four consecutive years. The full budget is expected to be approved at the board’s next meeting.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
