Duluth School Referendum Proposes Tax Hike
Homeowners could pay $15 more per month to fund the school district if November 3 referendum questions pass.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Would you support increasing local property taxes to fund school district operations?
Duluth voters will consider three ballot questions on November 3, including two measures that would increase property taxes to support local school funding. If the local referendums fail, the district faces a projected $12 million in budget cuts.
Why it matters
The school district is contending with a structural budget deficit because state funding has not kept pace with inflation. These tax increases are intended to stabilize local school operations and prevent significant spending reductions.
Homeowners in the district can expect an additional $15 per month in property taxes if the local referendums pass, based on a $300,000 home valuation. These measures will appear on the back of the ballot for voters on November 3.
The details
The funding shortfall is driven by state-level educational support failing to account for rising inflationary costs. To address this gap, the district is turning to local taxpayers for supplemental revenue through two property tax-based measures. A third question on the same ballot asks voters to consider a constitutional amendment regarding statewide per-student funding.
Timeline
November 3 is the election day for all three referendum questions.
The Home Front
Duluth school district is navigating a structural budget deficit consistent with the national trend of local funding gaps caused by inflationary pressures. This reliance on voter-approved tax measures marks a common strategy for districts attempting to maintain services amid stagnant state aid.
Homeowners should review the back of their ballots on election day to locate the three referendum questions. You may want to calculate your specific tax impact based on your property value compared to the $300,000 baseline estimate to plan your household budget accordingly.
The takeaway
The November 3 vote will determine whether the district secures necessary local funding to bridge its budget gap. Residents should look for all three questions on the back of their ballots when heading to the polls.
Further reading
Find more local school updates in the Secondary Education section.
Live Poll
Would you support increasing local property taxes to fund school district operations?
