Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the Referendum

  • To preserve and strengthen what our students rely on every day — and to unlock new state aid without raising local taxes.

  • A voter-approved funding source for day-to-day school costs — teachers, staff, programs, materials. It's different from PRoject 309, a bond that paid for buildings.

  • $1,111 per pupil per year for 10 years, starting in 2027 — about $1.8 million in new annual revenue.

  • Two priorities: lowering class sizes (about 8 more teaching positions) and strengthening student safety and support — interventionists, social workers, mental health counselors and school resource officers. It also helps sustain the Virtual Academy, college-level classes, eCampus and PRoject 309's vision.

  • This is what will appear on your ballot. It is required that this notice includes information about the tax increase. But the school board has already approved a reduction in other local school levies, so most taxpayers will see $0 impact. Review the tax study.

    School District Question 1: Approval of School District Referendum Revenue Authorization

    The school board of Independent School District No. 309 (Park Rapids Area Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,111.09 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2027, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 309 be approved?

    BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

Questions About Cost and Tax Impact

  • It won't. The school board is reducing an existing levy by the same amount the new one brings in — net impact: $0. Seasonal recreational properties see no change either.

  • A new state program, Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid (STBRA), pays an estimated $632,432 of the levy — but only if voters approve it. The board is offsetting the rest by cutting an existing levy.

  • Fair question. The $0 net impact assumes your property's assessed value doesn't shift relative to others — that's out of the district's control. And the state aid only kicks in if voters approve the levy; it isn't automatic. Otherwise, this is a real chance to bring state dollars home at no added local cost.

  • No net change — the levy and the offsetting reduction apply the same way across the district's tax base.

Questions About the Plan

  • Park Rapids Area Schools has absorbed about $1 million in added costs this year — due to lost compensatory funding, unemployment insurance, paid leave mandates and more. This new program gives us a rare chance to ease that pressure without asking taxpayers for more.

  • PRoject 309 built our CTE center. This levy funds the staff and programs needed to fully deliver on that vision, including day-to-day operations in the center, not buildings.

  • A new state program for districts with lots of seasonal recreational property, like cabins and vacation homes. If voters approve an operating levy, the state helps pay for it.

  • No — only if voters approve the operating levy referendum.

  • We lose the $632,432 in new state aid and the $1.8 million in new annual revenue. The district would need to address its budget pressures in other ways, which could mean future cuts to programming and staffing.

Questions About Voting

  • Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

  • Yes — early voting via absentee ballot begins Friday, September 18, 2026.

  • Yes. Any eligible voter living within district boundaries can vote.

  • Visit PantherProgress.org, or reach out through our Connect page.