The Cloquet Public School District held its Truth‑in‑Taxation hearing Dec. 8 and later the regular board meeting where trustees certified a levy for taxes payable in 2026 that the district described as an overall increase of less than 1%.

During the hearing presenter Candace outlined how the levy cycle ties to budget years and said the district’s levy will make up roughly 15% of its approximately $50,000,000 budget for fiscal year 2026–27. She explained factors that can change taxpayer bills — changes in adjusted net tax capacity tied to market values, enrollment shifts that change per‑pupil levy authority, local capital needs and legislative equalization decisions. Candace also said state funding constitutes about 68% of the district’s revenues, with federal sources roughly 5.94% and other local sources making up the remainder.

Board members asked whether the state and federal governments keep pace with special‑education funding. Staff replied that state special‑education aid is based on prior‑year expenditures and the district is not fully reimbursed annually; administrators said the district’s "cross subsidy" (the gap between what the district pays and what it receives) had previously been over $2,000,000 and warned that task‑force discussions at the state level could reduce assistance going forward.

Following the presentation and Q&A, the board moved to approve the 2025 levy for taxes payable in 2026; the motion carried after the vote. In the regular meeting the board also approved consent items including food service reports and minutes, a resolution for a green grant agreement with Washington Elementary School in Carlton County, technical policy updates (waiving second and third readings), and first readings of substantive policy updates (also waved). The board voted to enter closed session later in the evening to discuss allegations against an employee pursuant to Minnesota Statute section 13b.05 subdivision 2(b); the public report on that closed session was scheduled for Jan. 12, 2026.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of 2025 levy (payable 2026): motion carried.
- Green grant agreement (Washington Elementary School): approved.
- Changes to chemical‑eligibility penalties (align with MSHSL): approved (see separate article).
- Technical policy updates and waiving second/third readings (policy numbers listed in packet): approved.
- First reading of substantive policy updates and waiving later readings: approved.
- Motion to close meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute section 13b.05 subdivision 2(b): approved; closed session scheduled.