Frequently Asked Questions

No. The technology bond frees up general fund dollars currently spent on technology and equipment, so those dollars can go toward teachers, staff and student programs.

This combination of tools allows the district to take advantage of the Ag2School Tax Credit and applies to all property types, including seasonal recreational properties — which lowers the impact on agricultural land and spreads the cost more equally in a way an operating levy cannot.

Curriculum, classroom supplies, utility costs, technology hardware, infrastructure, security and equipment — freeing up the general fund to protect teachers, class sizes and student programs.

Yes. Any eligible voter who lives within Fosston Public Schools' boundaries can vote on the referendum.

By law, school districts must keep separate accounts for different types of expenses. The general fund can be used for anything, including salaries and daily operations, but funds raised through a capital projects levy or technology bond can only be used for specific purposes like classroom supplies, utilities, curriculum, technology and equipment. Fosston has not used this option before — doing so now frees up more general fund dollars for teachers, programs and students.

If voters approve the referendum on the ballot this November, the capital projects levy and technology bond will be used to fund the specific purposes of the Fosston Forward plan.

The capital project levy would help cover curriculum, textbooks, classroom supplies and building utility costs. The technology bond would help cover building security and surveillance to keep our students safe, technology hardware and infrastructure costs, computer and network maintenance, and equipment needs.

The district does not plan to use this funding for any new construction projects like a building or addition. The purpose of the proposed investment plan is to stabilize our budget by covering costs the district already has today. That would allow us to free up general fund dollars for the staff and programs our students rely on. This is about our schools' needs, not a wish list.

To learn more about why school funds are kept in separate accounts, see the "Why can't the district just use its general fund for these costs?" question listed above. 

Yes. A capital projects levy and technology bond apply to all property types, including seasonal recreational properties, so the cost is spread more equally across the district rather than falling only on homeowners and businesses as it would with a traditional operating levy.

If voters approve the referendum, the capital projects levy would first be levied in 2026, with the resulting property taxes payable in 2027 — meaning the district would begin receiving levy funds in 2027. Proceeds from the technology bond would become available on a similar timeline to support technology, security and facility needs.

If approved by voters, the Fosston Forward investment would be supported by a property tax increase that would take effect in 2027 and be in place for 10 years.

Your specific tax impact will depend on the value of your property — use our tax calculator to estimate your own impact.