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.

Safety is always a top priority for Moorhead Area Public Schools. Last summer, the district began a comprehensive safety and security audit with outside experts to evaluate our buildings, procedures and systems. That work will conclude later this year and provide specific recommendations for continued improvement.

The two-question referendum on November 4 would directly support those efforts:

The capital projects levy would provide funding to implement safety recommendations to keep students and staff safe.
The operating levy would help sustain safety staffing and programs. This could include things like School Resource Officers (SROs), staff training and mental-health supports that strengthen school climate and prevention.

Together, these investments combine secure facilities, strong procedures, trained staff and caring relationships so every student can learn in a safe, supportive environment.

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.

While renters are not directly responsible for paying property taxes, a property tax increase approved by the referendum could still affect them indirectly. Landlords may choose to raise rent over time to offset the higher tax expenses.

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.

Without voter-approved funding, the district will need to make $5 million in budget cuts next year — on top on the $4 million made last year.

Because the largest share of our budget goes directly to instruction and student support, those areas would experience the greatest impact. The estimated breakdown of reductions would include:

Instruction (Regular & Special Education): An estimated $3.45 million would be reduced from this category, which makes up over 65% of the budget. It includes certified and non-certified staff (K–12 regular, special education, career and technical education, paraprofessionals, and substitutes). Reductions may result in larger class sizes, fewer electives, reduced special education support, and fewer career and technical opportunities.
Administration: About $375,000 (7%) would be reduced. This area covers expenses such as the school board, district office staff, principals, assistant principals and administrative assistants.
Instructional Support: About $348,000 (6.6%) would be reduced. It includes expenses such as technology support, staff development, and hall monitors/security.
Pupil Support: About $232,000 (4%) would be reduced. It includes media, nurses, counselors and services that support students’ academic, social and health needs.
Operations: This category is approximately 16% of the budget and covers building and grounds, custodians and all costs associated with student transportation with an estimated reduction of $839,000.
In total, this level of reduction could mean cutting about 44 positions across the district. Learn more about the possible reductions framework on the Plan Page.

The $4 million in reductions the district made last spring touched nearly every part of our operations. The goal was to reduce classroom impact. Here’s a summary of what was reduced:

Instructional staff: Reductions included moving four instructional coaches back into classrooms, eliminating one program (Chinese language due to low enrollment), and other staffing changes through not filling open positions.
Activities/athletics: The activities budget was reduced by $100,000, resulting in fewer games, bundled travel arrangements, and deferred supply purchases.
Administration: 1.25 administrative positions were eliminated.
Transportation and contracts: Reduced bus routes and reductions in third-party contracts (such as SRO, substitute services, and online programs) accounted for a large portion of the cuts.
Other operational savings: Included overtime reductions and changes in substitute staffing.
Capital purchases: Bus purchases were delayed, and Chromebook refresh cycles were extended.

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.

Minnesota offers several tax refunds and deferrals that can reduce the tax impact of a referendum. For example, over half a million Minnesotans receive the Homestead Credit Refund. Learn how this refund could potentially offset some of your tax impact from the referendum here.

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

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