There is just one month to go before voters across Cook County cast their ballots in the 2024 election, and with it, the three-question bond referendum for Cook County School District.

In the months since our district publicly presented the slate of proposed improvements to our K-12 school building and grounds, I’ve been fortunate to meet with dozens of parents and residents to discuss what the plan would mean for our students and community.

Since our schools are in part supported by local taxpayers, there are understandably as many questions about how these projects would be funded as there are about their impacts for students. In the interest of making sure everyone who will vote in the referendum has the information they need to make an informed vote, I’d like to share several of the most common questions I’ve received about the cost of the referendum and its impact on taxpayers.

How will the referendum impact taxes in Cook County, if approved?

Approved referendum questions will be paid for with a tax increase on all properties in Cook County School District, including seasonal/recreational properties. Individual tax impacts are determined based on the value of property relative to the total value of property within our district. For example, the combined tax impact of all three ballot questions on an average residential home valued at $400,000 would be $29 per month. This breaks down to $18 per month for Question One, $8 per month for Question Two, and $3 per month for Question Three. To see the tax impact on your property, visit VikingsVision.org/cost to use the referendum’s property tax calculator. 

How do school taxes in Cook County compare to other school districts?

Our district is proud to provide education at an exceptional value for local taxpayers. Total school property taxes in our district are currently four times lower than the state average, and lower than other nearby districts such as Lake Superior, St. Louis County, Rock Ridge, Esko, Ely, Hermantown, and Chisholm (based on a home valued at $250,000).

Will tax impacts go up if the value of my property rises?

Not necessarily. Year-to-year, your tax impact will only rise if your property’s value increases at a greater rate than the cumulative value of property in our district. However, if your property’s value rises at a slower rate, your tax impact would actually decrease for that year.

How would new space from the referendum impact operational costs?

Approval of all three referendum questions would result in some increased costs. Approximately 31,160 square feet of new space - including gymnasium, classroom, and shop space - would be added. Our district estimates that this will increase operating costs by $30,400 annually. However, the referendum will also provide opportunities to offset these increases by making our building more efficient. For example, planned LED lighting upgrades would save approximately $13,200 in utilities annually, and energy from new 40kW solar panels will further offset annual energy costs. Overall, we are confident that our district will be able to accommodate these additional costs with current staff and funding levels. 

How will recent tax relief passed by the legislature affect the cost of the referendum for taxpayers?

This year, the Minnesota legislature permanently increased the Taconite Homestead Credit for homeowners in Northeastern Minnesota, including all of Cook County. Starting with taxes payable in 2025, the credit will increase from $289-315 per homeowner to as much as $515 per homeowner.

While this credit is separate from the tax that would fund improvements proposed by the referendum, the credit may offset part or all the tax increase for many property owners, depending on the value of your property.

Where can I learn more?

VikingsVision.org is our dedicated website with everything you need to know about the referendum, including the tax calculator mentioned above, details about each ballot question, and full voting information. If you don’t see your question answered on the website, I can always be reached at [email protected]. I hope you find this information useful and that you will take the time to learn more about this important decision. Thank you for reading and for taking an interest in the future of education for our students. 

Chris Lindholm
Superintendent - Cook County Schools