Duluth Voters Will Decide School Levy In November

The district has proposed two referendum questions to address budget shortfalls this November.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized red brick school building, evoking the gravity of local municipal funding decisions. — Duluth Public Schools will put two referendum questions on the November 2026 ballot to address budget shortfalls and avoid potential program cuts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support increasing local taxes to fund school programs and extracurricular activities?

Duluth Public Schools has scheduled two referendum questions for the November 2026 ballot to address ongoing budget shortfalls. Both questions must pass for the proposed funding plan to be approved.

Why it matters

The referendum aims to secure long-term funding for the district, with failure potentially resulting in staff layoffs, program cuts, and facility consolidations. The proposal seeks a gradual operating increase over a decade.

The proposed operating increase will be implemented over a 10-year period. The tax impact for residents is estimated at $8 per month for a home valued at $300,000, or roughly $2.68 per $100,000 of home value.

The players

Duluth Public Schools

This school district serves the educational needs of students in Duluth, Minnesota, and is currently managing a significant budget shortfall.

The details

Voters are asked to approve two separate questions: one for a gradual operating increase and another intended to secure the district's future success. Both measures are required to pass to avoid the loss of existing programs and personnel.

Voters will decide on the two referendum questions on November 3, 2026.
The operating increase would be implemented over a 10-year period.

Administration
Sept. 22
Duluth Superintendent Froze Salary Amid Budget Cuts
Ice Shows
Sept. 24
Duluth DECC Arena Approved Naming-Rights Plan
Hockey
Sept. 23
Mike Randolph Retired From Hockey Coaching

Culture Shift

This proposal mirrors the trend of Minnesota school districts relying on local property tax referenda to fund basic operations. It follows the pattern established by the Minnesota operating levy statutory limits, which require districts to seek public approval for exceeding state-funded baseline budgets.

Homeowners in Duluth should plan for a potential increase of $8 in their monthly property tax bill if both questions are approved. Residents should review the specific school programs and staff positions that the district has identified as vulnerable if the measure fails.

The takeaway

Voters hold the ultimate decision on the district's fiscal trajectory by determining whether to accept a modest monthly tax increase. Residents are encouraged to review the district's long-term budget projections ahead of the November election to understand the risks of rejecting the proposals.