StoryFridley Public Schools Referendum OverviewJuly 24, 2026

Fridley Schools seeks voter approval for two major referendums

Fridley Public Schools held a community information session on October 3 to explain two ballot measures voters will decide on soon: a $1.1 million annual operating levy and a $30 million facility bond to address aging school buildings.

Published Jul 24, 2026

School board chair Jay Carop and Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis presented the district's financial challenges to community members. The district faces a $3.5 million budget gap driven by the gap between state funding and actual education costs, plus state mandates that lack adequate funding. The proposed operating levy—Question 1 on the ballot—would generate $1.1 million annually starting in the 2025-26 school year to help close that gap. Without it, district officials said they would need to make significant cuts to class sizes, staff, and programs.

The second proposal, Question 2, is a $30 million facility bond to repair decades of deferred maintenance across all district buildings. Examples of needed repairs include chronic parking lot flooding at the Fridley Community Center, leaking windows, aging flooring, ADA bathroom upgrades, loose tiles in the pool, and an unusable stadium track. District officials emphasized these are safety and maintenance issues, not new construction. CFO Jason Msen Berger noted that currently, the district diverts over $2 million annually from its learning budget just to maintain aging facilities.

A key selling point of the facility bond is what district officials call "zero tax impact." Because existing debt service is expiring at a strategic time, the district can issue new bonds without raising property taxes. However, state law requires ballot language to describe it as a property tax increase, which Msen Berger acknowledged could confuse voters. The district emphasized that while the ballot language mentions a tax increase, residents' actual tax bills would not change.

No official votes were taken at this community session—it was an informational meeting. Dr. Lewis made clear she cannot advocate for either measure, saying her role is simply to present facts. The district receives over $8 million annually from students who open-enroll from other districts, a point officials highlighted to show the district's broader financial picture. Voters will decide both questions at an upcoming election.

Our proprietary artificial intelligence agent analyzed publicly available documents including meeting agendas, minutes, and transcripts to write this story to help inform local residents. Feedback helps us improve, so please consider rating how we did with the thumbs up or down below.

Other Topics from This Document

School Funding Challenges and Open Enrollment in Minnesota
Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)
Proposed Facility Bond Referendum (Bonds for Building)

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Votes (2)

Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)

No official action taken at this community session; presentation for upcoming public vote.

The presentation covered the financial challenges faced by Fridley Public Schools, including a significant gap between state funding and education costs, exacerbated by state mandates and inflation. The proposed operating levy (Question 1) aims to generate $1.1 million annually to reduce a $3.5 million budget deficit. Speakers explained that this levy is crucial for maintaining current class sizes, retaining high-quality staff, and avoiding cuts to programs and services. Without it, the district anticipates significant reductions and potential future levies. Comparisons were drawn between Fridley's current levy amount per student and the state and metropolitan averages, showing Fridley currently below both.

Proposed Facility Bond Referendum (Bonds for Building)

No official action taken at this community session; presentation for upcoming public vote.

The proposed $30 million facility bond (Question 2) is intended to address a long list of deferred maintenance issues across all district facilities, rather than funding new construction. Specific examples included chronic parking lot flooding, leaking windows, aging flooring, ADA compliance upgrades for restrooms, dangerous loose tiles in the district pool, and an unusable stadium track. Speakers from Apex Facility Solutions detailed the immediate need for repairs to ensure safety, security, and proper learning environments. A key aspect of this proposal is its 'zero tax impact,' explained by the strategic timing of existing debt service expiring, which allows the district to issue new debt without increasing property taxes. Approval would also free up approximately $1 million annually from the general fund currently diverted to facility repairs.

Notable Quotes (7)

The number one question I get is are you telling people how to vote I actually can't tell you how to vote because as superintendent of schools I am uh for purposes of the law and honestly in workload sometimes I'm considered a 24/7 365 District employee so you won't see a yard sign in my yard you won't see any sort of Engagement around yes or no my job is just to tell you the facts.
— Dr. Brenda Lewis [00:03:19]

Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)

many school districts 70% in Minnesota rely on local taxes for operating levies that requires voter approval and that helps us to bridge some of that funding Gap.
— Dr. Brenda Lewis [00:11:59]

Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)

if the referendum is not approved um we're looking at significant reductions again we have that large budget cut um so we would need look at significant reductions uh for next school year to stabilize our finances.
— Jason Msen Berger [00:15:37]

Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)

what's happening is the amount of dollars it's costing to take care of our assets is pulling out of the learning bucket... we're pulling out of our learning Bucket over $2 million a year.
— Dr. Brenda Lewis [00:19:10]

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

ReferendumOther

General term for the ballot questions presented to voters.

New operating referendum or Levy (Question 1)Other

A ballot question seeking voter approval for additional operational funding for the school district.

Facility Bond referendum (Question 2)Other

A ballot question seeking voter approval for a $30 million bond for building maintenance and improvements.

State lawOther

Governs superintendent conduct regarding voting advice and required ballot language for tax increases.

10-year planPlan

Apex's long-term facility assessment and planning.

Minnesota Youth AthleticsOther

Organization that has deemed the Fridley stadium track unusable for hosting fields.

THE FRIDLEY RECORDER

Fridley Schools seeks voter approval for two major referendums

Other Topics from This Document

School Funding Challenges and Open Enrollment in Minnesota

Proposed Operating Referendum (Levy for Learning)

Proposed Facility Bond Referendum (Bonds for Building)

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Votes (2)

Notable Quotes (7)

Ordinances & Resolutions (6)

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