Find answers to frequently asked questions about the referendum on November 5. 

  • On Tuesday, November 5, voters in the Big Lake School District will consider three ballot questions which, if approved, will extend existing taxes and authorize new funding to protect current curriculum, programming and services and invest in new space for special education, physical education, student activities, and community education and events.

    • Question One asks to renew our existing technology levy of approximately $900,000 annually for 10 years.

    • Question Two asks to increase our operating levy by $400 per pupil annually for 10 years.

    • Question Three asks to invest $29 million to build a new multi-purpose facility to support special education, physical education and school activities, and community education and events.

    To learn more about this proposed community investment for our students, see the Plan.

  • Big Lake Schools does not have the same level of funding as surrounding school districts. Our school district has worked hard to make investments in our schools that our staff, students and parents believe are important while keeping our school tax rate as steady as possible for property owners.

    Over the last few years, we have identified several key areas that challenge our ability to meet the needs of all students. To ensure the quality education and well-rounded learning environment our students deserve, our district’s vision is to:

    • Continue our district’s successful investments in learning technology to promote the development of valuable digital and career-focused skills.

    • Strengthen funding for student learning to ensure programming remains strong and competitive.

    • Create a centralized, multi-purpose space to meet the diverse needs of special education, curricular programming, extracurricular activities and provide space for community education, community and events.

    • Invest in the future of our students while keeping school taxes as stable as possible for property owners in Big Lake.

    • Capital Projects (technology) Levy: A capital projects levy is a type of voter-approved funding that can only be used for specific infrastructure, technology and transportation projects. For nearly a decade, this type of levy has provided critical support for our district’s technology and digital curriculum needs. A capital projects levy spreads the property tax impact among all types of properties in the district, lowering the tax burden on local homeowners.

    • Operating Levy: An operating levy is voter-approved funding that helps fund a school district's general operations, including staff compensation, educational programming, classroom supplies, facility operations and other educational expenses. Homeowners, apartment owners and businesses in the district pay operating levies based on their property's assessed market value.

    • Bond: Voter-approved building bonds fund new construction, renovation, and additions to school buildings. These bonds are paid off over time–like a home mortgage–with revenue from a levy. This levy is paid by all property owners in the school district based on the assessed value of their property.

    Visit our Tax Impact page to learn more about the tax impact of each question being proposed to school district voters in the November referendum.

  • Yes. Approximately 70% of school districts in Minnesota have voter-approved operating levies.

  • Renewing the technology levy would ensure that Big Lake students continue to have the technology and curricular resources they currently rely on for high-quality education and the development of career-focused skills.

    Increasing our operating levy by $400 per pupil would support classroom curriculum and materials, small class sizes, facility operations, salaries and other educational expenses that all contribute to a quality learning environment for our students.

    Investing $29 million to build a new multi-purpose facility would create a new space for special education programming, ensuring all students can access the resources they need to succeed in the classroom. It would also create new spaces for physical education and activities for Big Lake students.

  • Strong schools are essential to local communities. They equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and can attract families, businesses and industries to stimulate economic growth. Our schools also serve as a hub for community education and events, with the goal of fostering a sense of belonging among residents in our district.

    Question Three of the referendum asks voters to consider a new multi-purpose facility that would further strengthen resources for our community. The facility would be able to host events and athletic tournaments year-round that bring residents together and attract visitors to our schools and community’s local businesses.

  • Of the three ballot questions, only Question Two proposes a new tax for property owners in the district. Questions One and Three would extend existing taxes that residents have already approved, resulting in no net tax increase for taxpayers relative to last year those questions. 

    The tax impact of Question Two will depend on the value of your property. For a home valued at $400,000, the tax impact of Question Two will be $15 per month starting with taxes payable in 2025, if approved by voters.

    To see the tax impact on your property, use our Tax Calculator.

  • Tax levies for Questions One and Two will be valid for 10 years. The bonds issued for Question Three, the multi-purpose facility, would be 20-year bonds.

  • On November 2, 2021, Big Lake voters passed a $30 million bond referendum to restore and renew school district facilities.

    At Big Lake Schools, we are committed to continually identifying opportunities to improve the education we provide while maintaining a steady school tax rate. The district and school board carefully manage district finances and make strategic decisions on managing district debt and voter-approved funding to keep our school tax rate as stable as possible for taxpayers.

  • Yes, but while state funding increased slightly in 2023, it was accompanied by expensive mandates that limited how schools could invest those resources. This failed to fundamentally provide the financial resources that school districts need to meet the needs of all students.

  • Yes! Early voting is available via absentee ballot or in person at the Sherburne County Auditor’s Office from Friday, September 20, through Monday, November 4. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or by hand to the Election’s Office at the Sherburne County Auditor’s Office. To learn more about early voting or how to request an absentee ballot, visit the Voting Page.

  • Can’t find an answer to your question on this website? Use the contact form on the Connect page to reach out to us. You can also contact Superintendent Tim Truebenbach at t.truebenbach@biglakeschools.org.

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