Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) Question 1 — Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization (Anoka County)

What it does

The board of Independent School District No. 13 (Columbia Heights Public Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School Districts referendum revenue by $550 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2028. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2026 for taxes payable in 2027 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the new referendum authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 13 (Columbia Heights Public Schools), Minnesota, be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

A YES vote means

Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) would increase its referendum revenue by $550 per pupil, rising with inflation starting with taxes payable in 2028, for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027.

A NO vote means

Columbia Heights School District would not get this new $550-per-pupil referendum revenue.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

ABC Newspapers reported that the Columbia Heights Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on June 30, 2026 to place the operating levy question on the ballot.

The district's fall 2026 community newsletter describes it as a 10-year levy, with funds first received in fiscal year 2028 and continuing through fiscal year 2038.

The district estimates the cost at $170 a year, or about $14.17 a month, for an average-priced home, plus an inflation adjustment.

According to the newspaper, board members cited the loss of compensatory aid funding, rising expenses and possible future cuts to special education funding as reasons for the request.

Put on the ballot by Columbia Heights Public Schools Board of Education (ISD 13), unanimous, June 30, 2026 (as reported by ABC Newspapers).

From official source 1, official source 2.

In the news

• CHPS Board places operating levy referendum question on fall ballot · ABC Newspapers

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Anoka County ballots

• Centennial School District (ISD #12) Question 1 — Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization
• Centennial School District (ISD #12) Question 2 — Approval of School Building Bonds

All Anoka County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) Question 1 mean?

Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) would increase its referendum revenue by $550 per pupil, rising with inflation starting with taxes payable in 2028, for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027.

What does a NO vote on Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) Question 1 mean?

Columbia Heights School District would not get this new $550-per-pupil referendum revenue.

How many votes does Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) Question 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Columbia Heights School District (ISD #13) Question 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.