FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions About The Plan

  • This November voters in the Kimball Area Public School District will consider a capital projects levy that would provide $661,605 annually for 10 years to provide dedicated funding for technology, cybersecurity, and building security systems, freeing up general fund dollars for other important programs and resources. The election is November 3, 2026.

  • A capital projects levy is a voter-approved local property tax used for specific infrastructure, technology, and related projects. Unlike operating levies, capital levies spread the tax burden more evenly across all property types and are designed for long-term investments in equipment and systems.

  • If approved by voters this November, the levy would provide $661,605 annually for the next 10 years to fund:

    • Building and security safety systems

    • Digital curriculum and learning tools

    • Cybersecurity and cyber insurance

    • Technology devices and networks

    • IT systems, infrastructure and staff

    • Assessment tools that help teachers know if students are learning what they need to learn

    These are fixed costs that have to be paid and are currently drawing funds away from our regular budget.

  • By shifting technology costs to a dedicated levy, we protect our regular school budget for the things families care most about including:

    • Class sizes that allow for personalized support

    • Student support staff including social workers, the school resource officer, teachers and support staff

    • Career and technical education programs

    • College credit options

    • Extracurriculars like sports, theater, robotics, and performing arts

    This keeps resources focused on what families value most: small class sizes, educational quality, and student support.

  • The School Board and administration reviewed multiple options for addressing our district’s budget deficit. After seeing the numbers, it was clear that providing dedicated funding for technology infrastructure and security systems that are critical to our operations, is the best way to fulfill our funding needs while keeping the tax impact on residents as low as possible.

    This plan reflects the input of district educators and leadership committed to maintaining the quality of our schools while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.

  • A capital projects levy is the most effective funding tool for technology and security infrastructure because it is specifically designed for long-term investments in equipment and systems (ex: technology costs) and it spreads the tax burden more equally across residential, commercial, and agricultural properties than other options available to us.

    Most importantly, it addresses our budget deficit while allowing us to fund essential technology and security costs separately from general education, ensuring that classroom dollars remain available for the student support services, programs and staff that families value most.

  • Strong schools strengthen our entire community. Good schools help attract families and businesses to the area, support local economic growth, and prepare students to contribute to our workforce and community. The goal with this additional funding is to be able to protect the programs, staffing levels, and class sizes that make Kimball Area Schools special, and sustain the offerings that lead families to choose our district for education. Investing in our schools benefits everyone.

Questions About Our Challenges

  • LoreKimball Area Schools has managed its resources carefully, but decades of inadequate state funding have created a budget challenge. Technology and security systems that are now essential to school operations are pulling dollars away from general education. If approved, the capital projects levy would allow us to fund our technology-related costs separately from our general funds, protecting general education dollars for the programs, class sizes and student support services and resources that families value most.

  • Decades of underfunding from the state, combined with rising technology costs and unfunded state mandates, have created a budget challenge. Technology that was once optional—cybersecurity, digital learning tools, and secure networks—is now essential to school operations. Without dedicated funding for these systems, the district faces an annual shortfall.

  • We are already operating at a deficit each year because our budget is already stretching to support technology and security costs in addition to essential programs, student support services, teachers and staff. What we are doing is not sustainable and is hurting our school savings meaning we won’t have the safety net for any future needs like replacing roofs and HVAC systems, or handling emergencies like pipes bursting if that happens in the future.

    We have reached the point where we have to make tough decisions. If we want to keep the significant technology and security costs on our general fund we will have to start reducing teachers leading to larger class sizes, school social workers, extracurricular programs, Career and Technical Education and college credit options, etc. to balance our budget.

    We made cuts a few years ago and heard outcry from the community and have since worked hard to stabilize as best we can. A capital projects levy allows us to fund these specialized technology costs separately, protecting the general education budget to keep the programs, supports and staff our community value most.

  • By using a capital levy, we keep technology funding separate from day-to-day operations, ensuring general education dollars remain available for classroom staff and programs.

Cost and Tax Impact

  • The proposed capital projects levy would provide $661,605 annually to our district for 10 years to cover technology-related costs and free up general education dollars for other important programs and resources residents value.

  • We did the math on what we are spending on our technology and cybersecurity investments, insurance and maintenance, and this is what it costs to fund technology in the modern era. This isn't padding. This is what we actually need to spend to keep our schools safe, secure, and competitive.

  • The tax impact depends on home value. If the levy is approved by voters this November, a home valued at $250,000 would see a tax increase of approximately $11 a month ($132/year). For a home valued at $350,000 the tax increase would be roughly $16.34 a month ($196/year), and a home valued at $400,000 would see a $19 a month increase ($228/year). Please use our tax calculator to identify your specific costs.

    There are many tax relief opportunities that you may be eligible for. Visit our Cost page to learn more on ways to reduce your tax impact.

  • The Property Tax Refund program from the State of Minnesota provides property tax relief to homeowners depending on their income and property taxes. For more information on this program, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.

  • Kimball Area School District Residents have not had a net tax increase to their school-related property taxes in 10 years. The district has a strong track record of careful financial management. The 2022 building bond came in under budget. Any funds approved by voters will be used exclusively for the technology and security purposes outlined in this levy.

  • School-related property taxes have not increased in over 10 years and Kimball Area Schools has maintained careful fiscal management throughout that period. The district has made strategic budget decisions to protect classroom funding. However, we have reached a point where dedicated funding for technology is essential and cannot be postponed without compromising school operations and security.

  • Yes. The last time Kimball Area Schools asked voters to consider a tax-related referendum was in 2022. The ballot included two separate questions. Under Minnesota law, both questions were required to state that approval of the question would authorize a property tax increase because each question involved new funding authority.  

    Question 1, the building bond, was tax-neutral, meaning there was no net increase to property taxes. Question 2, the operating levy, would have resulted in approximately an $8 per month increase for a home valued at $200,000, if it had passed.

    Since district residents only approved Question 1 in 2022, there was no net increase in school district-related property taxes at that time.


  • Although the 2022 building bond was presented as a property tax increase per state statute, the building bond was structured so there was no net increase in school district-related property taxes. 

    To fund this project, the district had $2 million in savings from the 2021 indoor air quality project that the board voted to reallocate to this project. Additionally, Kimball Area Schools finished paying off a previous building bond at the same time the new bonds took effect. 

    Rather than receiving a tax reduction when the previous bond expired, residents voted “yes” to continue paying taxes at their current level. This allowed the district to fund the project in full without district residents having to pay more in property taxes than they had in the year before.

  • If approved by voters this November, the levy would be in place for 10 years.

  • The School Board is committed to transparency and accountability. The district has set clear goals for how levy funds will be used and is committed to fulfilling that promise. If voters approve the levy, funds will be allocated as part of the district's annual budget process and monitored to ensure they support the technology and security goals outlined in this plan.

  • Agricultural property will pay taxes for the proposed referendum based only on the value of the house, garage, and one acre. Seasonal recreation properties are exempt from the capital projects levy.

    • Your total household income is less than $142,490.

    • You have been a Minnesota resident for at least half of the year. 

    • You owned or occupied your home as of January 2, 2026.

    • Your property is classified as your homestead.

    • You have no delinquent property taxes.

    As many as 65% of homeowners statewide may be eligible for annual state property tax refunds if property taxes make up more than 1% to 2.5% of household income (a threshold that adjusts based on that income). 

  • If eligible, apply for the Homestead Credit Refund by mailing in the paper M1PR form, or via the MN Department of Revenue website. Online applications generally open in May, and both paper and online forms are due by August 15. If you qualify, your refund will be received separately from your income tax return and will not appear on your property tax statement.

    • If you already received this refund from the state, it may increase if the referendum passes. While this won’t eliminate new taxes, it will help offset them. 

    • If you qualify, but don’t currently receive a refund your refund will apply to both your current tax bill and any increases from the referendum.

Question About Voting

  • You can cast your ballot beginning Friday, September 18, 2026, when absentee ballot voting starts. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

    Visit our Vote page for polling locations, registration help and early voting information.

  • Yes, you must be a registered voter to submit a ballot. Minnesota allows same-day voter registration that can be completed online or at the polls. Visit our Vote page additional information.

  • Without approved funding, the district faces an annual shortfall and would need to make difficult budget cuts, potentially including:

    • Reducing teachers and school support staff positions

    • Eliminating school social workers

    • Scaling back career and technical education, extracurriculars, and other programs

    • Increasing class sizes, which limits individualized student attention

  • We encourage you to explore the full website and the other FAQs. If you still have questions after that, please reach out to us using the form on the Connect page.

Still have questions? Reach out to us directly using the Connect form. We're here to help answer your questions.

Connect With Us