Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about our challenges

  • The funding formula that Minnesota uses to determine its per-pupil spending has lagged behind the rate of inflation over the last 15 years, making it increasingly difficult to pay for rising education costs. COVID-relief funds will also run out after this school year, which has enabled our district to strengthen individualized support for students through academic specialist positions and our popular REACH program. As student enrollment grows, our schools will need to adapt to ensure our buildings and educators have the resources they need to maintain exceptional education for students.

    Our buildings provide excellent environments for our students to excel, but enrollment growth has increased class sizes and put pressure on available classroom space in our schools. Other challenges at our buildings include:

    • Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces that lack appropriate space and equipment. Demand for opportunities to learn trade and technical skills has grown, but CTE space at the middle school/high school building is limited and lacks the equipment needed to give all students the proper access to training.

    • Our district’s enrollment is growing. Additional classroom space will be needed to keep class sizes small and provide adequate learning space for all students.

    • Some athletics facilities are beyond their life expectancy and not ADA compliant. Bleachers at the football and baseball fields fail to accommodate those with disabilities and include very old wooden seats. Additionally, deteriorating track and tennis courts are in need of replacement to protect their longevity and the safety of student athletes.

    • The elementary school’s roof and windows are decades old and show signs of failure, risking moisture intrusion and poor insulation. The elementary school K-2 playground is not ADA compliant and in need of replacement, and the sound and lighting systems in the auditorium are outdated and experiencing failures.

    • At the middle/high school, the student pick-up/drop-off loop is inefficient and additional parking is needed, resulting in unsafe backups and longer wait times.

  • In 2023, state lawmakers voted to increase per-student funding by 4% in 2023 and 2% in 2024. But even with these one-time increases, per-student funding is still relatively less than it was 15 years ago when accounting for inflation. Additionally, legislators added significant new spending mandates for schools, limiting flexibility for districts to use these funds to meet their specific needs.

Questions about the plan

  • On Tuesday, November 7, voters in Wadena-Deer Creek School District will consider two ballot questions that seek to maintain Wadena-Deer Creek’s educational excellence.

    • Question One seeks authorization of a new operating levy of $790 per student to preserve the financial stability of our district, retain quality staff members, and invest in learning opportunities that prepare students for their future.

    • Question Two seeks to invest $17.745 million in additions, renovations, maintenance, and site improvements at our elementary school and middle/high school buildings. The investment at the elementary school includes additional general education and Special Education classrooms, K-2 playground renovation and other deferred maintenance items. The investment also includes additional classrooms, small group rooms and Career and Technical Education (CTE) labs, a safer and more efficient student pick-up/drop-off loop plus additional parking, and athletic field improvements at the middle/high school.

  • Our district is committed to preparing our students and school buildings for the future. Our enrollment is growing, education is evolving and state funding for education has not kept up with costs. The referendum seeks to protect our ability to recruit and retain great staff, pay for learning materials, improve learning and athletics spaces, and accommodate enrollment growth.

  • If approved by voters:

    Question One would authorize an operating levy increase of $790 per-pupil unit, and provide $935,636 annually over a 10-year term. Funding from the levy would be used to:

    • Recruit and retain talented staff members to keep the district competitive, adapt to growing enrollment, protect small class sizes and provide personalized academic support to students.

    • Pay for learning expenses such as technology, books, and classroom supplies.

    • Avoid budget cuts and adapt to inadequate state funding for education.

    Question Two would authorize a $17.745 million investment to complete improvements at WDC’s elementary and middle/high school buildings and grounds. The improvements would include:

    • New CTE space to prepare students for their careers, including dedicated labs for woods, metals, and agricultural science, and additional flex lab space.

    • Three general classrooms and two Special Education classrooms at the elementary school, and three new classrooms and one Special Education room at the middle/high school.

    • Renovation of two existing bathrooms at the middle/high school into eight private, gender-neutral bathrooms to better accommodate all students.

    • A safer, more efficient pick-up/drop-off loop at the middle/high school and additional parking space.

    • Updated athletic facilities, including a resurfaced track and tennis courts, a new outdoor grandstand, press box, an updated sound system at the football/track facility, new baseball/softball bleachers, and updated outdoor concessions and bathrooms.

    • Updated sound and lighting systems for the performing arts.

    • Replacement of windows, roofing sections, tuck pointing, and the K-2 playground at the elementary school.

  • The referendum plan was developed by the district with feedback from administrators, school board members, teachers, staff, students and community members. Over the course of seven stakeholder listening sessions, our community worked to identify the top challenges facing our schools. An educational adequacy assessment, comprehensive facilities assessment and demographic study were also completed to help identify the specific needs of our buildings.

    To help facilitate the process, our district hired ICS, a leading facilities and construction management consultant with extensive experience helping districts across Minnesota prepare their schools for the future. We also worked with financial advisors to consider all available funding options and provide a high-value plan for residents.

  • Operating levies like Question One and building bonds like Question Two are both examples of voter-approved funding to support public education, but can only be used for specific things.

    Revenue from operating levies directly supports day-to-day school expenses such as learning materials, overhead and staff compensation, but cannot be used to fund building repairs or new construction. Building bonds are solely used to fund building repairs, improvements, and construction, and cannot be used for operating expenses. An easy way to remember the difference is that bonds are for buildings, and levies are for learning.

  • Yes. Approximately 70% of rural school districts in Minnesota have active voter-approved operating levies to support learning, and voter-approved bonds are used by districts statewide to support construction and renovation projects for school buildings.

  • The district will use a process that informs and encourages local bidders, while still respecting the state law on low-bid projects. If local contractors are the low bidders, the school district will use local contractors.

  • No. The two ballot questions are independent of each other, so Question Two could still pass even if Question One does not.

  • No. Synthetic turf for the football field was considered earlier in the planning process for the referendum, but after careful consideration of the costs and value the school board decided not to include turf in the final plan. Instead, the board chose to prioritize athletics areas most in need of improvements, including damaged track and tennis court surfaces and the old and non-ADA accessible seating at the grandstand and ball fields.

Questions about the impact

  • Question One would help recruit and retain talented staff members and pay for learning materials like technology, books and classroom supplies that our students rely on. This support would help keep class sizes low and maintain student programming despite inadequate funding for education from the state. The levy would also help keep our budget healthy to avoid spending cuts to staff or students programming.

    Question Two would provide new space to accommodate growing enrollment and strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities that are essential for students preparing for careers in trades and engineering. Athletes, performers and visitors alike would benefit from renovations to athletic facilities and concessions, updated sound and lighting systems in the auditorium, and a redesigned pick-up/drop-off loop with additional parking at the middle/high school.

  • Career and technical education (CTE) prepares students for high-skill, high-demand careers in trades, engineering and agriculture. These classes allow students to gain hand-on experience and pursue certifications in the trades while still in high school. Question Two of the referendum would create dedicated labs for woods, metals, and agricultural science, as well as additional flex lab space.

  • If voters reject the referendum, we won’t be able to make the investments in our buildings, services, and student programming.

    School board members would consider alternative ways to stabilize the district’s budget and avoid deficit spending. This would likely include spending cuts that would affect staffing levels and student programs.

    Without a bonding plan for building improvements, deferred maintenance needs at our buildings will grow and we will not be able to provide the additional classroom space needed to maintain small class sizes. The board would likely consider new spending to address the most critical needs of the buildings, though these investments would likely have a higher relative tax impact for residents, and push back the timeline for these improvements to ultimately impact students.

  • The success of local schools and their communities are deeply connected. Strong schools help attract new residents to our growing communities and prepare students for careers at local businesses. Across Minnesota, stronger schools mean stronger communities and local economies.

Questions about the cost

  • If both ballot questions are approved, owners of a $150,000 home in our district would see an estimated property tax increase of $20.00 per month for Question One and $14.33 per month for Question Two, for a total of $34.33 per month starting in 2024.

    Your individual tax impact is dependent on the value of your property. You can easily determine your individual impact by using our tax calculator here.

  • Minnesota's Ag2School tax credit alleviates the cost of bond referendums like Question Two for farmers without raising the cost for non-agricultural landowners in the district. The Ag2School tax credit offers an automatic 70% tax credit paid directly by the state for all agricultural property except the house, garage, and one acre surrounding the agricultural homestead. The Ag2School tax credit includes pasture and tillable land, homestead and non-homestead, rural vacant, and managed forest.

    The Ag2School credit would pay for approximately 15% ($2.7 million) of the investment sought by Question Two of the referendum, if approved.

  • Minnesota offers additional tax credits and deferrals that may further reduce your tax impact. These include the Ag2School tax credit for agricultural landowners, the MN Homestead Credit, a Special Property Tax Refund, or a Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral. More details and qualification information can be found on the Cost page.

  • No. If approved, the operating levy authorized by Question One would remain in place for a 10-year period. The bonds authorized by Question Two would expire after 20 years or until they are paid off, whichever is soonest. The school board would have the option to renew the operating levy in 2033, but any increase to the levy amount would require voter approval.

Questions about voting

  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. Early voting begins on Friday, September 22 via absentee ballot or in-person at the district office. Visit the Vote page to learn more about when and how to cast your vote.

  • Yes! Early voting is available via absentee ballot or in-person at the district office, from September 22 through November 7. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or by hand to the district office.

    Residents can request an absentee ballot by filling out the application found here or by emailing elections@wdc2155.k12.mn.us. Please note that this email is only to be used for requesting an absentee ballot and should not be used for asking questions or providing feedback related to voting. If you have a question about voting, please contact your local county auditor/treasurer. Ballot applications can be sent to the district office at the address below or emailed to elections@wdc2155.k12.mn.us.

    To learn more about early voting, visit the Vote page.

  • Can’t find an answer to your question on this website? Reach out to us using the contact form on the Connect page.