Underwood School District (ISD #550) Question 1 — Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization (Otter Tail County)

What it does

The board of Independent School District No. 550 (Underwood Public Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's referendum revenue by $1,591 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. 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. 550 (Underwood Public Schools), Minnesota, be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

A YES vote means

Underwood Public Schools (ISD #550) would increase referendum revenue by $1,591 per pupil, rising with inflation, for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027.

A NO vote means

Underwood Public Schools would not get this $1,591-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

In materials prepared and paid for by the Underwood School District, the district says it absorbed more than $642,000 in budget cuts last year amid declining enrollment and rising costs, and expects more cuts without the levy.

The district estimates the tax increase, starting in 2027, at about $20 a month for a median-value home of $315,000. It says the school board will reduce other local levies if the operating levy is approved.

The district says the levy would also qualify it for Minnesota's new Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid, which it says reduces the tax impact on residents and businesses.

Put on the ballot by Underwood School Board (ISD 550), 2026 (resolution date and vote not found in an online official record).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

Next elections here

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

Also on Otter Tail County ballots

• Henning School District (ISD #545) Question 1 — Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization

All Otter Tail County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Underwood School District (ISD #550) Question 1 mean?

Underwood Public Schools (ISD #550) would increase referendum revenue by $1,591 per pupil, rising with inflation, for ten years starting with taxes payable in 2027.

What does a NO vote on Underwood School District (ISD #550) Question 1 mean?

Underwood Public Schools would not get this $1,591-per-pupil referendum revenue.

How many votes does Underwood School District (ISD #550) 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 Underwood School District (ISD #550) 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.