Cost & Tax Impact

Fosston Public Schools is committed to investing in our students while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

See your tax impact

The proposed capital projects levy and technology bond would raise $1.04 million to stabilize our budget and protect the classes and programs our students rely on. These tools were chosen because they allow us to:

  • Use the Ag2School Tax Credit: Because farming is such a big part of our community, this plan takes advantage of Minnesota's Ag2School Tax Credit, which offers a 70% tax credit to all agricultural property except the house, garage and one acre surrounding the agricultural homestead. This is not a tax deduction – it is an automatic dollar-for-dollar credit, with no application required.

  • Free up the general fund: Recent changes in state law allow utility costs to be covered under the capital projects levy, moving more than $200,000 in utility costs out of the general fund and freeing those dollars for everyday school needs.

A group of students playing golf on a grassy course surrounded by trees, with golf equipment and a building in the background.
Group of six students and one adult standing on a pier by the water, holding a trophy and wearing medals, with a lake and blue sky in the background.
Young student with long blonde hair in a classroom, mid-laugh, hair splaying outward as if caught in a gust of wind, wearing an orange hoodie, with classroom equipment in the background.
Group of smiling young students gathering at a sports event behind a chain-link fence, with people and a blue sky in the background.

Your individual tax impact will depend on the value of your property.  

Use our tax calculator to determine your specific tax impact.

ISD 601 Tax Calculator

Estimated Tax Impacts (if voters approve the Fosston Forward plan):

Illustration of a house with a brown roof, orange door, and windows, surrounded by green bushes.

$150,000 home
$13.91 per month

Illustration of a two-story house with a garage, pink walls, blue windows and door, black roof, and green bushes in front.

$227,400 home
$23.93 per month

Illustration of a two-story house with a garage, brown roof, and green bushes. colorful windows and front door.

$300,000 home
$33.35 per month

DID YOU KNOW?

Another way districts can raise money for daily school needs is through a voter-approved operating levy.

We chose not to pursue this option because it:

  • Isn't eligible for the Ag2School Tax Credit

  • Only raises property taxes on local homeowners and businesses – coming at a significantly higher cost to the taxpayers in our district

Estimated Tax Impacts (if the district chose an operating levy instead):

$150,000 home
$40.09 per month

$227,400 home
$60.78 per month

$300,000 home
$80.19 per month

The Benefits of this Approach:

The Fosston Forward Plan

Fosston Public Schools is proposing a capital projects levy and technology bond because they:

  • Apply to everyone, including seasonal recreational properties like cabins — spreading the cost more equally across the district.

  • Qualify for the Ag2School Tax Credit, which automatically reduces the tax burden on agricultural land.

  • Free up general fund dollars currently spent on utilities, moving them toward classrooms instead.

What if the Referendum Fails?

  • The district would need to make difficult choices about classes, programs and student opportunities.

  • The general fund would continue absorbing costs like technology, equipment and utilities — leaving less available for students and learning.