Duluth Schools Plan $5 Million in Cuts

A voter-approved referendum lowered projected cuts from $12 million, and the school board is now weighing where the remaining $5 million will fall.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Special Education

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Duluth voters approved a referendum in early November 2026 that reduced the district's projected budget cuts from $12 million to $5 million. The school board discussed the remaining $5 million in reductions at a committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Why it matters

Unfunded special education costs and unfunded federal mandates have strained the district's budget, and the state does not fully cover the gap. For Duluth residents, the cuts will shape services in the district's schools, and the district is lobbying for more state support.

The district's $5 million in cuts is measured against the $12 million it would have faced without the referendum, with a targeted 15% reduction at the district office and about 6% between elementary and secondary schools. Which specific programs will be affected and how much state funding the district will win remain unresolved.

The players

Duluth School District

The public school district serving Duluth, Minnesota, which is overseeing the budget reductions and lobbying for state support.

John Magas

The superintendent of the Duluth School District who has said unfunded mandates and limited special education funding have strained the budget.

Jeff Anderson

A lobbyist who advised the Duluth school board on securing funding from St. Paul in the upcoming legislative session.

The details

The district works with other districts and education advocates on its lobbying strategy, and lobbyist Jeff Anderson advised the board on seeking funding from St. Paul in the upcoming legislative session. Superintendent John Magas said unfunded mandates and limited special education funding have strained the budget, and the school board will survey residents on which services they want prioritized once cuts begin.

Early November 2026: Duluth voters approve the referendum that lowers projected cuts.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: School board discusses the $5 million in cuts.
Upcoming legislative session: The district lobbies St. Paul for state funding.
Next year: The $5 million in cuts take effect.

Roadmap

Duluth's budget pressure reflects a long-running gap between federal special education mandates under IDEA and the funding Congress actually provides. Because the state does not fully cover the shortfall either, districts like Duluth's are left to absorb the difference through local budget cuts.

Families of students who rely on special education services could see changes to staffing and programs once the $5 million in cuts take effect next year. Residents can share their priorities through the district's forthcoming survey before cuts begin.

The takeaway

Local voter action can meaningfully shrink a district's budget gap, but the remaining cuts still depend on state and federal funding decisions. Residents who want a say in which services are protected should watch for the district's survey.

What happens next

The school board will send a survey to residents asking what they would like prioritized once budget cuts begin, and some restored funds may partially return reduced services after a year.