Notice of Special Election The Chisago Lakes School Board passed a referendum resolution, putting two questions on the ballot on November 7, 2023.
QUESTION 1
Safety and security upgrades while also addressing critical facility updates district wide.
QUESTION 2
Addresses the two most pressing areas within our district - stability and student experience.
MORE REFERENDUM INFO AT: www.isd2144.org/referendum QUESTIONS? referenduminfo@isd2144.org 651-213-2030
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION Notice is hereby given that a special election has been called and will be held in and for Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota, on November 7, 2023. Passage of School District Question 1 and School District Question 2 will result in an increase in your property taxes. The passage of Question 2 is not contingent on the passage of Question 1. SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTION 1 Approval of School Building Bonds Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $23,285,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, additions at the Primary School, safety and security improvements at Taylors Falls Elementary, the Middle School and the High School, and various roofing replacement, parking lot improvement and various other capital projects districtwide? By voting “YES” on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase. SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTION 2 Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization The board of Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District’s general education revenue by $355 per pupil. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. By voting “YES” on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase. The projected annual and monthly dollar increases for typical residential homesteads, apartments, commercial-industrial properties, and most other classes of property within the School District are as shown in the table included in this mailing. The polling places and precincts served by the polling places for the special election are included in this mailing. All qualified electors residing in the School District may cast their ballots at the polling places listed above during the polling hours specified above. A voter must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote in the special election. Unregistered individuals may register to vote at the polling places on Election Day. Dated: August 22, 2023 BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD Mrs. Jennifer Penzenstadler School District Clerk Chisago Lakes Independent School District No. 2144 State of Minnesota
SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT School District Ballot
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2144 - CHISAGO CITY, MINNESOTA November 7, 2023
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS To vote, completely fill in the oval(s) next to your choice(s) like this: To vote for a question, fill in the oval next to the word “Yes” for that question. To vote against a question, fill in the oval next to the word “No” for that question.
School District Question 1 Approval of School Building Bonds YES NO
Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $23,285,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, additions at the Primary School, safety and security improvements at Taylors Falls Elementary, the Middle School and the High School, and various roofing replacement, parking lot improvement and various other capital projects districtwide?
BY VOTIING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE Bonds are for building improvements. Create secure classrooms on the third floor of Chisago Lakes Middle School. Fire suppression in Chisago Lakes Middle School. Redesign secure entrances at Taylors Falls Elementary, Chisago Lakes Middle School, and Chisago Lakes High School. Primary School four classroom addition. Roof replacements at the Primary School and Chisago Lakes High School. Replace aged parking lots at Taylors Falls Elementary, Primary School, and Chisago Lakes High School. Replace outdated concrete slabs and resolve outdated drainage issues at the District owned bus garage.
School District Question 2 Approval of New School District Referendum Revenue Authorization The board of Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District’s general education revenue by $355 per pupil. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
YES NO
Shall the new referendum revenue authorization proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes), Minnesota be approved?
BY VOTIING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE This request is typically called an operating levy, or levy, in district information materials. Levies are for learning. Funds will be directed to address retaining and recruiting of high quality staff. Sustaining current programs and services for students. Establishing a full middle school model at the 6th grade level.
QUESTION 1 Safety and security upgrades while also addressing critical facility updates district wide.
QUESTION 1
BUILDING BOND - $23,285,000 Example of cost to a tax payer: $6/month on a $375,000 home
Create secure classrooms on the third floor of Chisago Lakes Middle School. Install fire suppression system in Chisago Lakes Middle School. Redesign secure entrances at Taylors Falls Elementary, Chisago Lakes Middle School, and Chisago Lakes High School. Update aging facilities: roof replacements at Primary School and Chisago Lakes High School, replace aged parking lots at Taylors Falls Elementary, Primary School, and Chisago Lakes High School, replace outdated concrete slabs and resolve drainage issues at the Districtowned bus garage.
QUESTION 2 Addresses the two most pressing areas within our district - stability and student experience.
QUESTION 2
OPERATIONAL - $335 PER PUPIL Example of cost to a tax payer: $11/month on a $375,000 home
The state has not kept up with inflationary increases. If it did, Chisago Lakes would generate approximately $5,355,885 dollars of funding for students We would not have to ask for a levy The District has made over $5 million in reductions over the last 4 years. The levy will allow the District to stabilize and reinvest in our 6th grade program (bringing in a full model and allied arts).
Basic General Education Formula Lags Inflation Basic formula when adjusted for inflation Actual basic formula allowance
$8,000 $1,605 per pupil gap
$7,000
$6,000
$5,000 SOURCE: Schools for Equity in Education
20
03
20
10
20
15
20
20
TAX IMPACT Question 1 will ask voters for approval of a $23,285,000 bond to finance safety and security updates as well as address critical facility upgrades district wide. Question 2 will ask voters to approve an increase of the School District’s general education revenue by $355 per pupil annually for 10 years. The additional revenue will address the two most pressing areas within our district - stability and student experience. The passage of Question 2 is not contingent on the passage of Question 1. Question 1
Type of Property
Estimated Market Value
Question 2
Both Questions
Estimated Increase in Taxes Payable from 2023-2024* Monthly Annual Annual
$100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $250,000 $300,000 $325,000 $375,000 $400,000 $450,000 $500,000 $700,000
$14 $25 $35 $46 $57 $62 $73 $78 $88 $98 $159
$37 $55 $73 $92 $110 $119 $137 $147 $165 $183 $275
$51 $80 $108 $138 $167 $181 $210 $225 $253 $281 $434
$4 $7 $9 $12 $14 $15 $17 $19 $21 $23 $36
$100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $750,000
$29 $83 $181 $279
$37 $92 $183 $275
$66 $175 $364 $554
$5 $15 $30 $46
Agriculture Homestead
$3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000
$0.09 $0.12 $0.15 $0.18
$0 $0 $0 $0
$0.09 $0.12 $0.15 $0.18
$0.01 $0.01 $0.01 $0.02
Agriculture Non-Homestead
$3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000
$0.18 $0.24 $0.29 $0.35
$0 $0 $0 $0
$0.18 $0.24 $0.29 $0.35
$0.02 $0.02 $0.02 $0.03
Residential Homestead
Commercial/ Industrial
(average value per acre of land & buildings)
(average value per acre of land & buildings)
Source: Elhers Public Finance Advisors * Amounts in table are based on school district taxes for the bond and operating levy referendum only, and do not include tax levies for other purposes. Tax increases shown above are gross increases, not including impact of state Homestead Credit Refund ("Circuit Breaker") program. Owners of homestead property may qualify for a refund, based on their income and total property taxes. This may decrease the net tax increase for those property owners.
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed operating referendum based only on the value of the house, garage and one acre. Seasonal recreational residential property (i.e., cabins) will pay no taxes for the proposed operating referendum.
VOTING INFORMATION All qualified electors residing in the School District may cast their ballots at the polling place for the precincts in which they reside during the polling hours. Polls will be open from 7:00am 8:00pm on November 7, 2023.
PRECINCT
VOTING LOCATION
Combined polling place services all territory in Independent School District No. 2144 located in Chisago City; Lent Township and the City of Wyoming; Chisago County, Minnesota.
East Central Library 11754 302nd St Chisago City, MN 55013
Combined polling place services all territory in Independent School District No. 2144 located in Center City; Chisago Lakes Township/North; Chisago Lakes Township/South; City of Lindstrom; City of Scandia; and Sunrise Township; Chisago County, Minnesota.
Lindstrom Community Center 13292 Sylvan Ave Lindstrom, MN 55045
This combined polling place services all territory in Independent School District No. 2144 located in Amador Township; Franconia Township; City of Shafer; City of Taylors Falls; Chisago County, Minnesota.
Taylors Falls City Hall 637 First Street Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Additional Voting Information
Are you registered to vote? A voter must be registered to vote to be eligible to vote in the special election. Go to www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting to register. An unregistered individual may register to vote at the polling place on Election Day.
VOTE EARLY
Vote Early from now till November 6 In Minnesota, you can vote early starting on September 22. To vote in person, visit the District Office 29678 Karmel Ave, Chisago City MN 55013 7:00am - 3:00pm, Monday - Friday. To vote by absentee ballot, visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections/voting to vote by mail. OR
VOTE NOV. 7
Cast your ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7 Vote at your assigned polling place. Use the list above to find your polling place.
District Office 29678 Karmel Ave Chisago City MN 55013 www.isd2144.org referenduminfo@isd2144.org
Vote early! Vote on or before November 7. Visit www.isd2144.org/referendum for information on early voting.
Safety and security upgrades while also addressing critical facility updates district wide.
Addresses the two most pressing areas within our district stability and student experience.
Create secure classrooms on the third floor of Chisago Lakes Middle School. Install fire suppression system in Chisago Lakes Middle School. Redesign secure entrances at Taylors Falls Elementary, Chisago Lakes Middle School, and Chisago Lakes High School. Update aging facilities: roof replacements at Primary School and Chisago Lakes High School, replace aged parking lots at Taylors Falls Elementary, Primary School, and Chisago Lakes High School, replace outdated concrete slabs and resolve drainage issues at the Districtowned bus garage.
The state has not kept up with inflationary increases. If it did, Chisago Lakes would generate approximately $5,355,885 dollars of funding for students We would not have to ask for a levy The District has made over $5 million in reductions over the last 4 years. The levy will allow the District to stabilize and reinvest in our 6th grade program (bringing in a full model and allied arts).
QUESTION 2
QUESTION 1
Two-Question Referendum on November 7
Prepared and paid for by Independent School District No. 2144 (Chisago Lakes)., 29678 Karmel Ave, Chisago City, MN 55013. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.