VOTE411 Voter Guide

The School Board of Independent School District No. 553 (New York Mills), Minnesota has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,160,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction and equipping of a band and choir suite; construction and renovation to physical education space, fitness room and wrestling rooms; renovation and construction of career and technical education (CTE) spaces; construction and equipping of new classrooms; repurposing and remodeling of existing classrooms and spaces for educational needs; renovations and updates to the administrative office areas, including construction of secure entrances; renovation and equipping of the existing kitchen, concession stand, and restrooms; and addressing deferred capital maintenance including, but not limited to, flooring, main gym sound system, building envelope, water drainage and parking lot improvements. The School Board has also proposed a new capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 2.7102% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $200,000 for taxes first levied in 2026, payable in 2027, and will be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded is approximately $2,000,000. The additional revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will be used to provide funds for technology, including student and staff devices, updated classroom technology, network and technology infrastructure, safety, security and cybersecurity upgrades and to pay the costs of technology related personnel and training, transportation, curriculum, and facilities upgrades and utility service costs. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the issuance of the general obligation school building bonds and the new capital project levy authorization proposed by the School Board of Independent School 'District No. 553 (New York Mills), Minnesota, be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE