School District Question 1 Approval of Bond Issue and Capital Project Levy Authorization
Elk River Public School District School District · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
The school board of Independent School District No. 728 (Elk River Area Schools) has proposed a project for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new high school and early childhood through middle school building in Otsego, Minnesota^ the construction and equipping of an education center to serve alternative high school learners and children with disabilities^ the construction of safety improvements and secure entrances at school sites and facilities, including at the Zimmerman Middle/High School and Rogers Middle School^ the construction and equipping of a classroom addition at the Hassan Elementary School^ remodeling and updates to the career and technical education (CTE) spaces in Zimmerman, Elk River and Rogers^ repair and renovation projects at school sites and facilities^ the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training^ the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials^ utility services costs and other capital revenue purposes. To provide funds for a portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $350,000,000. To provide funds for the remaining portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 5.579% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy will raise approximately $9,000,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the capital project levy authorization is approximately $90,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the issuance of the general obligation school building bonds and the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 728 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
This question asks voters in Elk River Area Schools (Independent School District No. 728) to approve both a bond issue and a capital project levy for a set of school projects. The projects include a new high school and early childhood through middle school building in Otsego, an education center, safety improvements and secure entrances, a Hassan Elementary classroom addition, career and technical education remodeling, repairs, and technology and curriculum costs. The district would issue general obligation school building bonds, which are loans repaid with interest from property taxes, of up to $350,000,000. It would also set a capital project levy, a property tax for a set list of school projects and purchases, of 5.579% times net tax capacity. The ballot notes the projects received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. A YES vote approves both. A NO vote means neither is approved. The ballot notes that a YES vote is a vote for a property tax increase.
Fiscal impact
Bonds of up to $350,000,000, plus a capital project levy of 5.579% times net tax capacity. The levy would raise about $9,000,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year, for ten years. The ballot puts the total cost of projects funded by the levy at about $90,000,000.
Official ballot arguments
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What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
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Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.