• Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a bond referendum?
    A bond referendum provides funds that can be used to construct buildings, repair or renovate existing facilities, or purchase technology and other equipment.  Whenever a school district needs either operating or building funds that go beyond the dollars provided beyond the State of Minnesota, it must ask voters to approve those funds through a vote.

    What will be on the ballot?
    On April 9, the referendum ballot will include one question that, if approved, will authorize the District to use $9.1 million for improvements to the Elementary and Secondary Schools.  Funding for these improvements will be spread across a wide range of projects that address operational and curriculum needs.

    How will this affect my taxes?
    The District's tax levy is the lowest in the area, and if the referendum passes, the tax burden on NRHEG residents will still be competitive compared to nearby schools.  To learn more about how your taxes will be impacted, utilize our tax impact calculator:  Tax Impact Calulator

    What is the difference between the improvements in the 2015 referendum and this year's?
    The major difference is the decrease in the bond amount.  In 2015, the NRHEG community voted "No" to a $14.5 million referendum.  Based on this result, the District sent out a community survey in January 2017 with the goal of identifying voters' preferences and priorities for improvements, as well as the referendum value that the community would permit.  What will appear on the ballot in April is a direct result of what the community indicated it would support in the community survey.  To review survey results, visit Facility Planning.

    If the referendum passes, when would construction start?
    A rough estimate would include design starting in May 2019 through December 2019, then a few months of construction preparation would occur with official construction possibly in April 2020.

    What benefits do a passing referendum have on student learning?
    At the Secondary School, the referendum will allow key improvements to science, career and technical education, and family and consumer science classrooms and spaces.  Modernization to science and family and consumer science spaces would provide more hands-on opportunities for students.  Expanded and updated career and technical education spaces will support agriculture-based learning and education in the construction trades.

    How will security be improved at the Elementary School?
    Currently, the Elementary School office has no space for visitors to properly check in, meaning check in is on the visitor's honor to proceed to the office.  The updated entrance would allow the school to monitor and screen school visitors more effectively, and the entrance would be improved to be made more secure.

    Do the tax charts in the brochure reflect the 40 percent Ag2School tax credit?
    Yes, the tax impact charts provided by Northland Public Finance, the District's financial consultant, reflect the 40 percent Ag2School credit, which was passed with bi-partisan support by the legislature in the 2017 session.

    Do you have additional questions you'd like answered?

    Join the District Superintendent Dr. Dale Carlson, Elementary School Pricipal Doug Anderson, Secondary School Principal Dave Bunn, and School Board Members for open houses at both the Elementary and Secondary School.

    Open House Dates
         *Elementary School Open House
           Monday, March 11, 2019
           6pm - 7:30pm

           *Secondary School Open House
            Thursday, March 14, 2019
            6pm - 7:30pm

    If you cannot make the open house dates, please feel free to send Superintendent Dr. Dale Carlson an email at dcarlson@nrheg.k12.mn.us.