FAQ | Fridley Public Schools Referendum

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

OPERATIONAL NEEDS

What is an operating levy?

Operating levies help fund a district's day-to-day operations, which include salaries and benefits, classroom materials (textbooks, technology), utility bills, and other routine expenses. These levies must be approved by voters.

What are the school district’s operational needs?

The School Board has carefully examined our current fiscal situation and budget forecasts for the coming years. In doing so, the board factored in cost inflation, unfunded federal and state mandates, increased student needs, salary and wage competitiveness, and declining student enrollment.

The bottom line is that the gap between the state funding we receive and the cost of educating each student has steadily widened over the past several years. In fact, if the formula allowance from the state of Minnesota had kept pace with inflation, our district would have received an additional $3.985 million in general education aid from the state during the 2023-24 school year.

School districts must rely on local taxes—or operating levies—that require voter approval to bridge this funding gap. The School Board believes the time has come to seek an operating levy for the Fridley Public Schools to maintain the high-quality educational experience our students need and deserve.

How has the district managed this challenge so far?

The district and board respect the needs of our property taxpayers and have worked to make the most of every dollar our community has invested in its local schools. The district has worked diligently to control spending, reallocate existing funds, and remain a good steward of taxpayer funds.

The district has made several budget realignments for the 2024-25 school year, with an expected total savings of approximately $800,000. This included reorganizing positions while eliminating or leaving other positions vacant, reducing contracted services for facilities and grounds, and reviewing and reorganizing which fund (general fund, special education reimbursable, etc.) from which expenses are drawn.

Unless the Minnesota Legislature allocates more state funds for public education, the Fridley Public Schools will need additional local funding.

What was the impact of the funding allocated through the 2023 Minnesota legislative session on the operating budget?

We are grateful for the Minnesota legislature’s investment in our schools. However, as noted above, the gap between our state funding and the cost of educating each student has steadily widened over the past several years. The general fund increases of 4% for fiscal year 2024 and 2% for fiscal year 2025 are only slightly higher than the typical 2% per annum schools have received in recent years.

Further, the many new investments and initiatives the state included in the education budget—such as the READ Act, safe and sick time (Earned Sick and Safe Time), unemployment insurance, Paid Family Leave Act, and curriculum requirements—are exciting initiatives we believe will positively impact students and test scores. However, funding for these programs is either underfunded or unfunded. This means school systems are not receiving the financial resources necessary to fully fund these new investments and initiatives.

We need to bridge that gap. For school districts, that means finding the money in our existing budget or through an operating referendum.

When was the last time the district had a successful operating referendum?

The most recent operating referendum for the Fridley Public Schools was in 2019. This was to revoke and replace an existing levy of $187.43 per pupil and replace it with a new levy of $497.43 per pupil for the next 10 years.

How does our voter-approved authority tax rate compare to neighboring districts?

Compared to surrounding/comparable districts, Fridley has the third-lowest voter-approved authority per adjusted pupil unit for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

If the proposed $424 adjusted pupil unit were to be approved, the Fridley Public Schools would move toward the middle of surrounding comparable districts for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The district and board are committed to keeping property taxes as low as possible while addressing our needs and ensuring our students have access to an exceptional educational experience.

What is the proposed solution to address our operational needs?

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, our community will vote on a new operating levy for the Fridley Public Schools. This would enable the district to maintain stable funding and invest in programs and services for students.

If the operating referendum is approved, the new operating levy would begin in 2025-26 and add approximately $1.165 million in new revenue. This revenue would help stabilize the district’s finances and reduce the projected budget gap. It would also limit future budget reductions over the next several years.

The operating levy authority provided through an approved vote would be $424 per pupil, which would expire at the end of the 2035-2036 fiscal year.

How would an approved operating levy affect property taxes?

An approved operating levy would have an estimated impact of:
- $130 per year (or $11 per month) on a home with an estimated market value of $250,000.
- $163 per year (or $14 per month) on a home with an estimated market value of $313,780, the average home value in Fridley.
- $208 per year (or $17 per month) on a home with an estimated market value of $400,000.

Do other school districts have an operating levy in place?

Yes. More than 70% of Minnesota school districts rely on revenue from operating referendums to provide basic programming and services for students.

BUILDING & FACILITY IMPROVEMENT NEEDS

What are the district’s building and facility needs?

The Fridley Public Schools has a growing list of deferred maintenance needs that we must address soon to ensure our students continue to have access to outstanding educational facilities.

Many maintenance expenses are due to wear and tear and items needing replacement, including plumbing, HVAC (heating and cooling system), and roofing replacement. These maintenance and repair items have begun to exceed our dedicated funding for long-term facility maintenance, and we have increasingly needed to use our general fund to cover these costs.

We need a longer-term solution that allows us to address our building and facility needs and reduce the impact on our general fund.

What is the proposed solution to address these needs?

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, our community will vote on a $30 million facility bond referendum. If approved, the district will move forward on a series of projects to address our most pressing facility and building needs.

The projects would include:

Renovations and improvements at all district facilities
- Replace broken furniture and improve learning spaces
- Establish replacement cycle for furniture, equipment, and building systems
- Restroom updates (including gender neutral) to be in compliance
- Replace activity/athletic spaces such as stadium and pool

Deferred maintenance improvements
- Replace building components such as windows, doors, roofs, and walls
- Enhance existing mechanical and structural systems
- Improve interior finish components such as flooring, doors, and hardware

Safe and secure building renovations
- Enhance door access controls and security systems
- Additional security features at all district sites
- Reconfigure middle school parking lot pickup/dropoff

If the bond is approved, the revenue taken from the general fund to cover facility renovations and repairs will be reduced by about $1 million per year. This will also help stabilize the district’s overall budget.

See a full breakdown of the project budget and costs

How would an approved facility bond referendum affect property taxes?

An approved bond would have no tax impact on district residents and businesses. How is that possible? The school district's existing debt is being paid in full, creating an opportunity to issue new debt with no tax impact.

Why does the ballot question say, "By voting 'Yes' on this ballot question, you are voting for a property tax increase?"

Minnesota state law (MS 275.60) requires ballot language to include this statement.

You are voting to issue new debt of $30,000,000, but the school district has other debt that is being paid in full which will offset the tax impact and keep the tax rate the same.

VOTING INFORMATION

When is election day?

Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is the general election date in the state of Minnesota.

What will be on the ballot November 5, 2024?

There will be two items on the ballot for the Fridley Public Schools on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The first will be a proposed operating referendum. The second will be a proposed $30 million facility bond referendum to address the district’s most pressing facility and building needs.

Where can I cast my ballot on election day?

School district residents can cast their ballots at their usual polling location on Tuesday, November 5.

Can I vote absentee in this election?

Yes, voters may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. You can learn more about requesting an absentee ballot at www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/vote-early-by-mail/.

When is the deadline to register to vote?

In Minnesota, the deadline to register to vote online or on paper is 21 days before the election. For the November election, the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on October 15, 2024. Eligible voters may also register at the polls on election day itself.

To learn more about registering to vote, visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Is the tax calculation shown for the entirety of the operating levy/bond period, or only for the first year?

The calculations are for taxes payable in 2025 only. The tax impact for future years depends on factors outside the district’s control and would differ for each homeowner. An example of one factor is property valuation, which is determined by the county.

For Question 1 (the operating levy), the tax rates adjust annually based on the revenue the district anticipates receiving due to student count estimates. Increases or decreases in pupil counts would cause total revenue to increase or decrease. The tax rate necessary to collect that revenue is calculated each year based on projected revenue and includes future inflationary adjustments. Use this tool to determine the estimated tax impact based on your home’s assessed value.

For Question 2 (building bond), the principal and interest payments are set when the bonds are sold, and the district's debt service levy is the amount necessary to cover the bond payments annually. The bond payments for the district's debt service and capital levies for the proposed projects are projected to remain consistent with the tax rates for taxes paid in 2024.

How can I stay engaged with the referendum if I live outside the Fridley school boundaries?

You can help raise awareness of our referendum by sharing our social media posts and the referendum website. You can also attend upcoming informational sessions and share information with friends, family, and acquaintances.

What if either/both questions are not approved by voters?

If the proposed solutions are not approved by voters this November, the Fridley Public Schools would need to consider further budget cuts, which may impact academic programs, extracurricular activities, and class sizes. We would also delay renovations and improvements at all district facilities, safe and secure building renovations, and deferred maintenance improvements.

How will this impact students?

A school district’s general fund covers the day-to-day operational costs of running a school district, including salaries and benefits, classroom materials (textbooks, technology), utility bills, and other routine expenses. Our general fund has incurred significant expenses for deferred maintenance, at nearly $2 million per year. It’s important that we allocate other funds to address deferred maintenance, which leaves more money in the general fund for our day-to-day operational costs.

Further, projects through the building bond would impact all students and each district facility. Replacing broken furniture and improving learning spaces creates a more welcoming learning environment. Investing in technology, such as computers, tablets, and smartboards, can enhance learning experiences and better prepare students for the future. Ensuring school buildings are well-maintained and safe can create a healthier and more secure student environment.

Why does Fridley Public Schools need additional money when enrollment is declining?

As we have all experienced personally, inflation affects the costs of goods and services. This means that even if the student population declines, the cost of supplies, utilities, and services continues to rise.

Many costs—such as utilities, building maintenance, and transportation—do not decrease proportionally with enrollment. We still need to heat, cool, and maintain buildings, and buses must run even with fewer students. Further, buildings require ongoing maintenance and repairs, which can be costly. Deferred maintenance can lead to even more significant expenses down the road. We also need to upgrade facilities to meet current educational standards, ensure safety, and improve energy efficiency.

Special education, English Language Learners (ELL), and other specialized programs often require additional resources, including trained staff and specific materials, regardless of overall enrollment. We also must budget for continual updates and improvements to the curriculum and the incorporation of technology.

While there may be fewer students in Fridley Public Schools overall, we also need a minimum number of teachers, support staff, and administrators to operate. Schools must offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff, which can require additional funding even if student numbers are slightly lower. Reducing too many positions can lead to larger class sizes and overburdened teachers and staff.

How do our class sizes compare to others?

A comparison study published earlier this year revealed that Fridley Public Schools has smaller class sizes than most metro area districts.

This annual study, conducted by BrightWorks, a Minnesota Service Cooperative, analyzed class size data from 29 Twin Cities districts. Key highlights from the report include:

Elementary: Fridley has the smallest elementary school class sizes among the 29 districts, with an average of 19.55 students, 3.5 fewer students than the metro average of 23.
Middle School: Fridley’s middle school class size average is 27.65 students, slightly below the metro average of 27.92. The highest metro middle school average is 32.54.
High School: Fridley High School’s class size average is 28.95 students, slightly above the metro average of 28.22 but significantly lower than the highest high school average of 31.26.

The report also examines class sizes by elementary school grade level, revealing that Fridley's class size averages for each class level are either the lowest or second lowest among the 29 reporting districts.

COMMUNITY-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Is the middle school drop-off/pick-up one of the proposed projects?

Yes. The number of vehicles that can fit into the drop-off/pick-up area does not meet the demand during dismissal, causing backups onto 61st Avenue. There have been multiple times when emergency vehicles have been needed during dismissal, and they have not been able to access the middle school quickly due to vehicles backed up on 61st, oftentimes down to the FCC parking lot. Fridley Public Safety has been working with our district on alternatives until we can expand the drop-off/pick-up area.

We voted down adding on to Hayes so they can keep the 5th grade there. How do we know that none of the money will be used for that?

Neither the operating levy nor the facility bond referendum, if either or both pass, will go toward keeping 5th grade in the elementary schools.

What type of projects do the pool and football field need?

Please find the information regarding the football/soccer field/Fridley High School stadium and the pool linked here. Included are pictures of the current state of the FMS pool, the costing, and some pictures for illustrative purposes of some public school district pools that have been recently redone and repaired. Those pictures will not be the final repairs for the Fridley Middle School pool. For example, the Brainerd Warriors pool contains a separate dive well. This would not be the case for Fridley Public Schools.

You can find information regarding the athletics improvements needed and the stadium work. You will see the repairs needed and different proposal options that would be considered if/when funding is available to do this work.

What is the cost of moving the Fridley Area Learning Center (ALC) students to the high school?

The cost to transform office space to student-use space for ALC programming is $269.958.24. This additional space for students at the high school is a solid investment in student space and specialized programming. We will be able to provide full-day or half-day programming with work programs. Our students in the ALC program have been in the high school and are familiar with the layout and services, and students will be able to take electives at the high school.

In addition, transportation makes it easier for students at the ALC to take part in activities. Most importantly, it creates access and belonging for our Fridley students.

This move also allows our district to meet the needs of students who are best served in a Federal Setting IV model. This program (VISTA) will be housed in the former ALC building. These students are currently served in programs outside our district, with waiting lists often over a year to enroll. Students will be closer to our community and on buses for a shorter amount of time.

The Community Center would not be impacted by this move.

Who makes the decisions on where funding is spent?

The administration makes recommendations to the School Board, and the School Board is the decision maker.

Does the District still hire out for human resources and custodial services?

Yes, the district hires out for human resources services. The district has now been able to fully fill custodial vacancies and will not be using a staffing agency alongside our FPS custodians.

What impact does the referendum have on renters?

While renters do not pay property taxes in the same way homeowners do, they contribute indirectly through rent payments. Property owners, such as landlords or apartment complex owners, are responsible for paying property taxes on the properties they own. These costs are typically factored into the rent they charge tenants.

Regardless of where you live, high-quality schools positively contribute to a community's overall quality of life. Strong schools help drive local economic growth, creating more job opportunities and a vibrant local economy, while making our community an even more desirable place to live.

High-quality schools ensure our community remains attractive to both future renters and future homeowners.

What impact does the referendum have on homeowners who do not have students in the district?

Schools are a key factor in making an area a desirable place to live, which can lead to increased property values. This impacts a homeowner during the sales process.

Supporting local schools is also an investment in a community's future. A quality education leads to a more educated workforce, which strengthens the local economy and ensures long-term prosperity for the area.

Additionally, strong schools contribute to a neighborhood's overall stability and appeal, attracting families and businesses and leading to economic growth.

How many questions will be on the ballot?

There will be two ballot measures on the November 5, 2024, ballot for the Fridley Public Schools. The two measures will be included on the general election ballot.

The first will ask voters to approve a voter-approved operating referendum of $424 per pupil unit. If approved, the operating referendum will have an estimated tax impact of $171 per year on a $330,000 home.
The second question is a $30 million facility bond referendum. An approved bond would have no tax impact on district residents and businesses. How is that possible? The school district's existing debt is being paid in full, creating an opportunity to issue new debt with no tax impact.

Each question is considered separately, so your vote on one question does not affect your vote on the other.

What is the bond interest rate?

Ehlers is using an estimated interest rate of 5% for the proposed bonds.

Can you share more information regarding Question #1 and how changes in student enrollment and changes in property valuation impact the school district’s revenue?

Increases in property valuations do not directly result in a corresponding increase in operating referendum revenue to school districts.

Operating referendum revenue is driven by enrollment. If enrollment increases, revenue increases. If enrollment decreases, revenue decreases.

The image below provides additional context on how tax rates are calculated, with one exception. The district’s voter-approved capital project levy does increase or decrease based on changes in the district’s Net Tax Capacity (NTC).

Will property taxes go down if the new facility bond referendum is not approved? Why is there no tax impact on the facility bond referendum?

With voter approval on November 5, 2024, Fridley Public Schools plans to finance the projects in Question #2 by issuing general obligation bonds.

Unlike a mortgage, general obligation school building bonds offer flexibility in structuring. This is helpful because the district’s existing debt is higher in the near term with expiring debt in later years.

Ehlers, the district’s financial advisor, recommends a “wraparound” strategy to structure the debt for the proposed bond issue:

Payments on the proposed new bonds would be structured to coordinate with payments on the district’s existing bonds to keep overall tax rates relatively constant over time.
The preliminary payment structure for the proposed bonds has relatively small payments through taxes payable in 2027 and escalating principal payments when the existing bonds are paid off after taxes are paid in 2027.
Payments on the proposed new bonds would increase over the bond’s term, but those increases would be offset by decreases in payments on the district’s existing bonds.
The district’s existing debt will remain at levels similar to taxes paid in 2024 for taxes payable in 2025. If voters do not approve the bond referendum, property taxes will not decrease for taxes payable in 2025.

Please provide information explaining the expiring district bond levies, including when they were approved and how much was approved.

Voters have approved questions that have funded ongoing deferred maintenance in 2002, 2011, 2015, and 2020. The elections held in 2011 and 2020 renewed the district’s existing levy authority approved by voters in 2002

The district has two voter-approved school building bonds outstanding, which are included in the table below.

The district's final payment from the 2020A bonds, which were originally issued as part of the 1995 referendum, will be levied in taxes payable in 2025.
In 2015, district voters approved $27.5 million in building projects. The projects were mostly maintenance-related outside of building additions at the two elementary schools and secure entry modifications at all locations.

Fridley Public Schools No. 14 - Outstanding Debt Issues (as of 07/01/2024)

Debt Service Levies Fund 07

BOND SERIES 2016A: General Obligation School Building Bonds

The Bonds were issued by the District pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, and a special election held November 3, 2015, at which voters approved a building program by a vote of 1,151 to 408. Proceeds of the bond were used to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school facilities, including upgrading safety and security systems in all schools and the community center; completion of interior/exterior deferred maintenance and renovation projects; installation of fire suppression systems; upgraded technology systems; and the construction of additional classrooms.

BOND SERIES 2016B: General Obligation Alternative Facilities Refunding Bonds

The Bonds were issued by the District, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, and Section 475.67, for the purpose of effecting an advance crossover refunding of the 2018 through 2028 maturities of the District’s
$23,525,000 General Obligation Alternative Facilities Bonds, Series 2007A (the “2007A Bonds”), dated June 12, 2007.

The 2007A Bonds were issued pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, and Section 123B.59, subdivision 3, to fund the costs of certain health and safety projects in the District's five-year plan approved the by Commissioner of Education.

BOND SERIES 2017A: General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds

The Bonds were issued by the District pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, and Section 469.1814, for the purpose of financing parking lot construction projects at various sites throughout the District.

BOND SERIES 2020A: General Obligation School Building Refunding Bonds

The Bonds were issued by the District, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, for the purpose of effecting a current refunding of the 2022 through 2026 maturities of the District’s $11,240,000 General Obligation School Building Refunding Bonds, Series 2012B. This represents the third refunding of the 1996 General Obligation School Building Bonds, of which certain maturities were refunded in 2004 and 2012.

The $18,550,000 General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 1996, were issued pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, and a special election held December 2, 1995, at which District voters approved the financing of building programs. Proceeds were issued for additions to and renovation of the two elementary schools, and renovation of the middle school, high school and Community Education Center. The building program was designed to modernize building, correct life safety items, access of those with disabilities, gender equity, and code deficiencies in all district facilities.

BOND SERIES 2024A: General Obligation Facilities Maintenance & Tax Abatement Bonds

The Bonds were issued by the District pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 469 and 475, and Sections 123B.595 and 469.1814, for the purpose of financing deferred maintenance and health and safety project included in the District's ten-year facilities plan approved by the Commissioner of Education, and construction of and improvements to parking lots at various sites throughout the District.

General Fund Levies Fund 01

Lease 2013: Lease Purchase

The lease purchase financing was used to fund the construction of additions to the Hayes and Stevenson Elementary Buildings.

The district also has a voter-approved capital project levy originally authorized in 2002. This levy provides annual revenue for the district to fund technology and deferred maintenance for its approximately 590,000 square feet of facilities. Per statute, voter-approved capital project levies have a maximum 10-year term. This required the district to ask voters to renew the levy in 2011 and 2020 to ensure the funds remained available to the district.

In 2002, district voters originally approved a 9-year capital project levy which funded the district's technology and deferred maintenance needs.
In 2011, district voters renewed the levy for 10 years starting in 2012.
In 2020, district voters renewed the levy for 10 years starting in 2022.

Please provide information on the mandates from the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session.

Below are the mandates approved by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature, with the information courtesy the Association of Metropolitan School Districts:

Universal meals — beginning in the 2023-24 school year, all students will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch.
Summer Unemployment Insurance — beginning in May of 2023, eligible non-certified hourly school workers could qualify for “between term” summer unemployment benefits.
Earned sick and safe time — effective Jan. 1, 2024, all employers are required to allow employees to accrue an hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 48 hours in a year.
Paid Family Medical Leave — effective Jan. 1, 2026, a statewide paid family medical leave plan is established. The plan is funded through a new .7 percent premium rate with employers required to pay at least 50 percent of the premium.
The READ Act — requires new curriculum purchased after July 1, 2023 to be aligned with structured literacy and staff to be trained in structured literacy.
Social Studies — 9th graders beginning in the 2024-25 school year must take a course for credit in civics in grade 11 or 12 and a course for credit in personal finance in grade 10, 11, or 12.
Ethnic Studies — a course must be offered in high school starting in the 2026-27 school year and elementary and middle schools must provide ethnic studies effective in the 2027-28 school year.
Holocaust, Genocide Education — school districts must offer Holocaust and genocide education in middle and high school curriculum by the 2026-27 school year.
Opioid Antagonists and Menstrual products — school districts must provide free access to menstrual products and maintain at least two doses of opiate antagonists at each school site.
Paraprofessional training — beginning in the 2023-24 school year, school districts must provide a minimum of 8 hours of annual paid paraprofessional professional development.
Suspensions — beginning in the 2023-24 school year, Kindergarten-3rd grade suspensions are prohibited unless nonexclusionary discipline options have been exhausted and there is an ongoing safety threat.
PELRA Changes — significant changes were made to the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA), making a number of new issues subject to collective bargaining, including adult-to-student ratios in classrooms, student testing, and e-learning days.
Active Transportation Safety Training — school districts must provide age-appropriate transportation safety training to students during the first or second week of school.

What is the difference between natural grass and turf on the football field?

The advantages of field turf are:

Conserves water
Reduced maintenance costs: The cost of installing and maintaining a turf field over 20 years is over three times less expensive per event than grass.
Maximizes land: Turf fields are great for urban environments where land is limited for recreational fields.
Utilization time/year: Turf fields can allow for up to 2,800 hours of annual usage, where as grass is 800 hours annually (24 hours per week).
Field turf complies with Amara's Law.

Open Enrollment >>

FUTURE FOCUSED:

Addressing Key Needs in Fridley Schools