Following a thorough review and discussion of the challenges affecting the district, the Brainerd Public Schools Board has set an operating levy election for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, as part of the general election ballot. The ballot measure will ask district voters to approve an operating levy that would generate $5 million annually for the district over a 10-year period.
100% of the revenue generated from the operating levy will go directly to help our students. The funds will be focused on two areas: Improving student safety and well-being and increasing student achievement.
OUR KIDS NEED YOUR YES VOTE.
What You Need to Know Before You Vote:
The tax impact can be reduced due to the Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid recently approved by the Minnesota Legislature. This legislation will send a portion of the property taxes on seasonal/recreational property directly to the district to help pay for the operating levy. The district can only receive these funds if we VOTE YES to an operating levy in November. We do not receive this money without an operating levy in place. Brainerd residents, let's get this money back!
This November, a second question on the ballot will ask if Minnesota should modernize the Minnesota Constitution to get more funding to public schools – at zero cost to taxpayers. Vote YES. Since 1858, Minnesota has maintained a permanent fund dedicated to public schools – now valued at $2.3 billion. An outdated rule limits what schools can actually receive each year. Updating that rule would send additional funding to Minnesota schools every year – without raising a single tax. Click here to learn more.
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More Facts About the ISD 181 Operating Referendum
The Brainerd School District has built a special webpage dedicated to the facts surrounding the operating referendum. Visit their page to learn more about your individual tax impact, how the levy dollars will be used and much more. Educate yourself and make the right choice for our students. They are counting on us!