Duluth School District (ISD #709) Question 1 — APPROVAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM REVENUE AUTHORIZATION (St. Louis County)
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Duluth school district voters
Results: the official election results site. Counts are unofficial until certified.
- What it does
- The School Board of Independent School District No. 709 (Duluth Public Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase its general education revenue by the following amounts for taxes payable in the years specified: $438.00 per pupil for taxes payable in 2027; and $933.00 per pupil, which will replace the $438.00 per pupil for taxes payable in 2028 through 2036, and that amount would increase annually by the rate of inflation commencing with taxes payable in 2029. The proposed new referendum revenue authorizations would be applicable for a total of ten years, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. The additional revenue will be used to fund school operations. Shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 709 (Duluth Public Schools) for each year be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THE BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING YES FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
- A YES vote means
- Duluth Public Schools (ISD #709) would increase general education revenue by $438.00 per pupil for taxes payable in 2027, then $933.00 per pupil for 2028 through 2036, rising with inflation from 2029, to fund school operations.
- A NO vote means
- Duluth Public Schools would not get these referendum revenue increases.
- 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.
Background
According to the district, the Duluth School Board voted unanimously on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 to put the operating referendum on the November ballot.
The district says Question 1 is a step-up levy over 10 years and estimates it would cost about $8 a month for the owner of a $300,000 home. It says the tax impact stays about the same after the first year because existing building debt expires.
The district says it has cut about $12 million, roughly 8% of expenditures, over three years, including 48 teaching positions this year. It says it needs at least $5 million more in cuts for 2027-28 even if the referendum passes.
District officials say that without new revenue the district could enter statutory operating debt as early as the end of this fiscal year, putting the Minnesota Department of Education in significant oversight of its finances.
Next elections here
Also on St. Louis County ballots
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on Duluth School District (ISD #709) Question 1 mean?
- Duluth Public Schools (ISD #709) would increase general education revenue by $438.00 per pupil for taxes payable in 2027, then $933.00 per pupil for 2028 through 2036, rising with inflation from 2029, to fund school operations.
- What does a NO vote on Duluth School District (ISD #709) Question 1 mean?
- Duluth Public Schools would not get these referendum revenue increases.
- How many votes does Duluth School District (ISD #709) 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 Duluth School District (ISD #709) 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.
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem · Corrections