The Hastings School Board is expected to consider renewing the district's operating referendum during its July 15 meeting, a move school officials say would preserve approximately $4.2 million in annual funding without requiring another vote of the public.
Director of Finance and Operations Jennifer Seubert presented an overview of the proposed referendum renewal during the board's June 10 work session, outlining the financial impact of the levy and the legal authority that allows school boards to renew certain voter-approved operating referendums by resolution.
The current operating referendum was approved by Hastings voters in November 2017 and provides the district with $773 per adjusted pupil unit, plus inflation. The referendum is scheduled to expire after the 2027-28 fiscal year and currently generates approximately $4.2 million annually for the district's general operating fund.
Under a state law adopted in 2023, school boards may renew an existing operating referendum one time under the same conditions originally approved by voters. The renewal must occur within a specific statutory window, which for Hastings extends through June 15, 2027.
According to Seubert, renewing the referendum would maintain funding levels already approved by voters while avoiding the costs and uncertainty associated with conducting a referendum election.
"The Legislature created this option in 2023 because operating referendum renewals are routinely approved by voters and renewal by board resolution reduces election costs while maintaining local control," Seubert noted in her presentation.
District officials emphasized that the proposal is not a request for additional funding but rather a continuation of an existing revenue source that supports day-to-day school operations. Referendum dollars currently help fund student programming, classroom instruction, academic interventions, student support services, instructional resources, and safe and efficient operations throughout the district.
The issue comes as Hastings Public Schools continues to navigate financial challenges related to enrollment trends and rising operational costs. School administrators have repeatedly identified the operating referendum as a critical component of the district's long-term financial stability.
Seubert told board members that renewing the levy would preserve approximately $4.2 million in annual operating revenue, provide greater certainty for long-range financial planning, and allow district leaders to continue focusing resources on student programs and services.
Her recommendation to the board was straightforward: renew the existing operating referendum by board resolution as permitted under Minnesota Statute 126C.17.
"This action preserves approximately $4.2 million in operating revenue, provides long-term financial stability, and continues funding previously approved by Hastings voters," Seubert stated in the presentation.
The district has been discussing the referendum renewal throughout the spring. According to the timeline presented Wednesday, the topic has been reviewed during board work sessions, finance committee meetings and regular board meetings dating back to March. Presentations and discussions were held on March 11, March 25, March 31, April 30, May 6, May 20 and May 28 before returning to the board's June work session.
The board is scheduled to receive an additional presentation and discussion during its June 17 regular meeting before holding a public testimony session and formal vote on July 15.
If approved, the board resolution would extend the existing operating referendum under the same terms previously authorized by Hastings voters in 2017, ensuring the district retains a significant source of ongoing operating revenue without placing a new referendum question on the ballot.
School officials have indicated the renewal is intended to preserve existing educational programming and operational support rather than expand spending, making the July vote one of the most significant financial decisions facing the district this year.