FAQs

    • With a 20-year state funding gap, below-average local funding, and $4 million in budget cuts last year, MAPS is facing another $5 million in cuts next year without new funding. So far, most cuts have been kept out of classrooms, but major cuts year after year put high-quality education at risk. 

    • More cuts could mean fewer teachers, larger class sizes, and reduced student programs, impacts to academics, electives, arts, and athletics, and budget instability that undermines innovation and progress. 

    For more information, visit the Challenges Page.

  • On November 4, district voters will consider two ballot questions. 

    • Question One asks voters to consider an operating levy that would generate $4.37 million each year ($575 per pupil) for 10 years. 

    • Question Two proposes a capital projects levy that would generate $1.5 million per year for 10 years. 

    Together, both levies would provide a total of $5.87 million annually to stabilize the budget and protect education in our district for years to come. 

  • An operating levy helps fund a school district’s operating budget, which pays for day-to-day school functions. This includes teacher and staff salaries, supplies, program costs, utilities, and routine maintenance.

  • A capital projects levy helps fund a school district’s capital, technology, and transportation needs, keeping the general fund focused on students and learning. 

  • The two levies serve different, important purposes — and state law requires them to be voted on separately because they impact different types of property taxes. Operating levies apply to residential and commercial/industrial property. Capital projects levies apply to a wider range of property types.

  • In 2024, the district asked voters to consider a capital projects levy to help fund curriculum, technology, and transportation needs. That proposal did not pass. Through community feedback, we heard that residents wanted more clarity on how the funds would be used and a more comprehensive plan to meet our district’s needs. This November, we’re proposing an operating levy and a capital projects levy – shaped by that feedback. 

  • The 2019 referendum was a bond referendum, which provided funding to build the new Moorhead High School and the Career Academy. By Minnesota law, bond funds can only be used for construction and building projects. This year’s referendum is an operating levy and a capital projects levy. 

    Operating levies provide funding to support day-to-day school expenses, including program costs, supplies, and teacher and staff salaries. Capital projects levies provide funding for capital, technology and transportation needs. In short, bonds are for building, and levies are for learning.

  • Every dollar from the two proposed levies would go directly toward strengthening our schools. One levy would support day-to-day classroom education—helping us retain quality teachers and staff, maintain class sizes, and sustain academic programs. The other levy would fund capital, technology, and transportation needs—ensuring safe, reliable facilities, updated learning tools, and efficient student transportation.

    By covering these essential costs, the levies allow the district’s operating budget to remain focused where it matters most: providing students with a high-quality education and giving staff the resources they need to help students succeed.

  • If the operating levy is approved, a home with a median value of $250,000 in the district would see a property tax increase of $18.91 per month starting in 2026.

    If the capital projects levy is approved, it would add a monthly tax increase of $4.83 per month, starting in 2026, for a total of $23.74 per month if both questions are approved. 

    For more information, visit the Cost Page.

  • The term of both the operating levy and the capital projects levy is 10 years.

  • The two ballot questions are legally separate. If one question passes and the other fails, funds from the approved levy cannot be shifted to cover the needs of the failed levy. Each levy can only be used for its specific, voter-approved purpose. That means if one fails, the district would still need to move forward with budget reductions. Passing just one levy would provide some support for our schools, but would also leave financial gaps. Together, the two levies provide a balanced and comprehensive plan to stabilize our budget and protect education.

  • The cuts our district made this year were mostly kept out of classrooms — but that won’t be possible moving forward. Future cuts will directly affect students through fewer staff, larger class sizes, and reduced classes and programs. Without stable funding, our district can’t invest in innovation or maintain meaningful progress.

  • Yes—nearly 70% of school districts across Minnesota rely on funding from local voter-approved levies. The state of Minnesota provides the majority of funding for local schools, but this is often not enough to cover the costs of student services, educational programming, technology, and building needs. 

  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Early voting will begin Friday, September 19. For voting details, visit the Vote Page.