Northfield Public Schools encourages district residents to attend a public hearing on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Northfield District Office Gymnasium to learn more and provide feedback on the board renewal of the 2017 operating levy. Here are the details:
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Northfield District Office Gymnasium, 201 Orchard Street South. Enter through door 5 on the parking lot side of the building.
The Northfield School District Board of Education is in the process of considering the renewal of its 2017 operating levy, which is set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2028 and represents approximately $9 million of the district’s annual revenue.
The board has the option to renew our existing operating levy, which is set to expire in 2028, one time under the same conditions originally approved by the voters, as permitted by Minnesota Statute 126C.17, subdivision 9b.
Why is the board considering renewing the operating levy now?
- The levy expires at the end of FY28 and represents approximately $9 million or 13% of our revenue.
- Renewing the operating levy by board resolution, as permitted by statute, would provide fiscal stability.
- We are in the allowable statutory timeframe for the board to renew the operating levy.
Why was the statute changed to allow boards to renew operating levies by resolution?
The Minnesota Legislature made the change in 2023. Data showed that nearly all operating levy renewal election questions were approved by voters. The Legislature recognized the effort and cost associated with school operating levy elections and provided this option for school boards to renew an operating levy one time using the same conditions as originally approved by the voters.
The statutory authority allows the board to renew the operating levy for:
- “The same as the amount expiring, or for an expiring referendum that was adjusted annually by the rate of inflation, the same as the per pupil amount of the expiring referendum, adjusted annually for inflation in the same manner as if the expiring referendum had continued.”For the Northfield School District, this would mean renewing it at the existing per pupil amount for fiscal year 2026-27 ($2,249.44 per pupil) with the annual inflationary increase added each year.
- “The term of the renewed referendum is no longer than the initial term approved by the voters.”For the Northfield School District, this would mean renewing the operating levy for another ten years.
You can view the full operating levy board renewal timeline here.