Robin, a member of the district business department, opened the Truth in Taxation public hearing and reviewed why the board holds the hearing and what it could do at the meeting: “and then the school board may adopt that final levy at the end of this meeting which is also on the agenda.”

Robin explained Minnesota’s funding system and levy process, noting state law and formulas determine most school revenue and that the district’s levy calculations run across many categories and funds. She said the district’s preliminary figures for the fiscal year under discussion show roughly $59,400,000 in revenue and about $60,000,000 in expenses for the current budget period, and that the final levy under consideration for certification is $11,600,000 — unchanged from the district’s September preliminary levy.

Robin said some levy categories are revenue-neutral because reductions in state aid can offset levy increases, and she highlighted that a decline in enrollment has reduced state aid and contributed to a roughly $101,000 shortfall in certain levy categories. She told the board that community-education counts use a broader population measure (she cited 22,807 people in the district area) and that there are about 1,480 children under age 5 factored into early-childhood funding calculations.

On percentage changes, Robin noted the district’s overall levy increase this year is smaller than recent averages — about 1.57% — and she described how individual property tax changes depend not only on the total levy but on shifts in local property values across owners. She also reminded residents that Minnesota’s property tax refund program may apply to households that see tax increases.

The chair asked for a motion to accept the final levy; a board member moved and another seconded. The transcript records the motion and second and Robin’s statement that the final levy equals $11,600,000, but the provided segment does not contain a recorded roll-call or voice vote outcome for the levy motion.

What happens next: the presentation indicated the district will report the certified levy to the county auditor to determine individual property tax statements; the district will present its full fiscal-year 2027 budget in June 2026. If residents wish to check relief eligibility, Robin recommended consulting tax professionals about Minnesota’s property tax refund.

The hearing included time later in the meeting for other agenda items and public comment, but no public-comment speakers were signed up at the start of the meeting.