FAQs
Q - What are the biggest consequences if the referendum does not pass?
A - If the referendum does not pass, Bemidji Schools will be forced to continue to make cuts to balance the budget. These cuts will result in larger classroom sizes and fewer curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students. The district may also be forced to close another school or look at reorganizing grade levels. Additionally, schools are a “people business” meaning, most of the district’s costs (80%) are used to pay for staffing. When schools make reductions, the cuts translate to lost jobs which negatively impacts our local economy.
Q - Will this extra funding really be used for the benefit of students?
A - Yes. Through lower classroom sizes and fully-staffed classrooms, student learning will continue to be supported. The additional funding will also support the continued operation of existing neighborhood elementary schools, which is a direct benefit to many students and their families. The additional funding will help the district maintain bus routes so that more students will enjoy the benefits of busing and bus routes will not need to increase in length. Other benefits of the additional funding is continued access to current technology and devices, more student support staff (counselors, social workers, classroom paraprofessionals) in schools. Finally, the funding from a successful operating referendum will pay for maintaining the extracurricular activities which students enjoy – activities that develop leadership skills and which help students remain connected to school.
Q - How does the district give back to the community when the taxpayer no longer has children in school?
A - Our students are our future community leaders, business owners, and work force. An investment in schools is an investment in our local community.
Q - Can’t we wait a few more years before a new operating referendum?
A - If we wait, our costs will increase due to inflation and our needs will only continue to escalate. The longer we wait to address the needs of the district, the longer our students will need to wait to be impacted by these improvements.
School district leaders have done an admirable job of maintaining educational programs and activities, while keeping our schools in the best condition possible with budgetary means. However, without a successful referendum, costs will continue to outgrow the available resources our district has to meet the needs of our students.
Q-What inflation factor does the school district use?
A- Inflation is forecasted based on past experience, current market prices, contract settlements, and other cost trends.
Q - How much does the district pay for the 900+ employees who work in the school district?
A - The school district payroll is approximately $60 million a year. This includes wages, benefits, and related payroll taxes. The school district is the second largest employer in Bemidji. The funds paid to district employees remains largely in the community as district employees live in the Bemidji area and pay for goods and services in Bemidji.
Q- What percentage increase in revenue does a $460 referendum bring in?
A - The roughly $1.5m/ year in new revenue is a 2% increase in revenue.
Q - If the operating referendum passes, will the high school block schedule stay the same?
A - The school board has directed district administration to explore other options to save the costs created by the four-period day currently in place. That means that the block schedule did not change this year. However, whether or not the referendum passes, the district needs to run as efficiently as possible, so we will continue to explore potential modified-block schedules at the high school that may be more efficient in cost while still offering some type of block structure.
Q - Where are the combined polling places located?
A - Solway School, Eckles Community Center, Roosevelt Community Center, Northern Town Hall, Horace May School, Lincoln School, JW Smith School, Boys & Girls Club, Bemidji Town Hall, Port Hope Town Hall. Absentee voting will be held at the ISD 31 District office.
Also see the voting page here.
*Note- Residents within the school district boundaries will receive a postcard mailing notifying them of their combined polling place location as well as sample ballot mailing that will list all combined polling places and the related precincts.
Q - What is the date of the election?
A -Tuesday, November 2, 2021, between the hours of 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
Q - How will the new $460 per pupil be used?
A - The roughly $1.5 million in new funding that would be raised each year over the next 10 years would allow Bemidji Area Schools to pay for student busing in our large district as the state does not provide sufficient funding for transportation. Each year, the district loses hundreds of thousands in transportation costs. The additional funding will also help keep class sizes from growing, maintain opportunities for students to take elective classes and participate in activities, and help Bemidji Area Schools keep up with inflation.