By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 29, 2025

With mail-in voting underway for the Cook County School District $6.65 million bond referendum, a local group known as the Vote Yes Committee has released a public statement of support and has gathered endorsements from over 75 community members, businesses, and organizations.

The 2025 referendum is a follow-up question to last year's series of ballot measures, seeking funding for the components that did not pass in November 2024. Last year, voters approved the main $24.18 million question for critical building security and classroom renovations, with major construction expected to begin in 2026, but did not approve the other questions relating to athletic, performing arts, and outdoor space upgrades.

Cook County ISD 166 Superintendent Chris Lindholm told Boreal Community Media in an interview earlier this month that "Right after the Nov. 2024 referendum, the board asked me to pursue other funding sources to reduce the tax impact. We reached out to the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board  (IRRR) to submit a grant request." The district was successful in securing a contingent $5 million grant from the IRRR, helping lower the cost for the referendum from $11.65 million to $6.5 million for community members, thus lowering the tax impact. If the referendum does not pass, the district will not receive the grant. 

According to the district's project website, VikingVision, the November 2025 bond referendum is projected to cost community members with a $400,000 median-value home about $4 per month, starting in 2026, down from $8, which was the projected tax impact for the 2024 referendum based on the same value of a home. 

This year's question, which focuses on funding the performing arts center, athletic facilities (including a track and turf field), and outdoor learning areas, is already being voted on through mail-in ballots, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. 

The Vote Yes Committee, described by member Dan Shirley as a small, passionate group representing the arts, athletics, and the community in general, gathered support for the bond referendum, stating, "We know that diverse and vibrant activity spaces enhance the learning experience for the kids in Cook County. Modern and well-maintained school facilities are an important part of community infrastructure that will support long-term stability." See the full letter with endorsements below. 

Community opposition, based on letters submitted to the Cook County News Herald, centers on the belief that the $6.65 million investment is a poor academic priority and an excessive cost for projects voters previously rejected. Opponents argue that the bond does not align with the district's fundamental needs, citing low student proficiency rates in math and reading as proof that spending should be redirected toward core academics. The proposed facilities are described as "extras" and argue that the district's stated benefits for student mental health and academic success are "unsubstantiated statements lacking supportive statistics." 

Acknowledging the appeal of the $5 million IRRR contingent state grant, one opponent stated this "lure" is ultimately a "costly ruse" because it requires the community to pay $6.65 million for projects they had voted against just a year prior. 

Voting for the 2025 referendum will be conducted as a special mail-in election. Ballots were automatically sent to every registered voter via mail earlier this month. 

Ballots must be received by Election Day, November 4, 2025, to be counted. 

Unregistered voters may request an absentee ballot by contacting the Cook County Auditor’s office (voters can also request one online via the Secretary of State’s website, but due to the proximity to Election Day, in-person is recommended). Absentee ballots can also be requested and completed in person at the auditor’s office during regular business hours.

Registered voters who do not receive, misplace, or cannot mail their ballot in time can vote in person before Election Day at the Cook County Courthouse (411 W. 2nd Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604) during regular business hours, or on Election Day. 

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Full statement of support from the Vote Yes Committee: 

We support the November 2025 Cook County Schools referendum aimed at updating and enhancing the Arrowhead Center for the Arts (ACA), developing outdoor learning spaces, and building a multi-use field complete with track and field facilities. We know that diverse and vibrant activity spaces enhance the learning experience for the kids in Cook County. Modern and well-maintained school facilities are an important part of community infrastructure that will support long-term stability. We are pleased to extend the reach of our tax dollars with the $5 million matching grant from the IRRRB. 

• Cook County Chamber of Commerce

• Cook County Education Association (CCEA)

• Grand Marais Playhouse

• The Grand Marais Film Society

• Barbara Jean Meyers, Executive Director, North Shore Music Association

• Joynes Ben Franklin

• Sawbill Canoe Outfitters

• Boreal Electric

• The Big Lake

• Lady Superior Bottle Shop

• Sisu and Loyly Nordic Sauna

• Outpost Motel

• Bearskin Lodge

• Grand Marais Subway

• Unimoose Enterprises LLC

• North Shore Swing Band

• Roam & Whimsy Co.

• Timber & Tide Cabins

• Ben and Sarah Hallberg, Java Moose

• Kristofer Bowman, Upstate MN

• Mike Kwasniewicz, Gunflint Trail Property Services

• Chel Anderson, North Shore Music Association Board Member

• Tracey Cullen, North Shore Music Association Board Member

• Cheryl Larsen, North Shore Music Association Board Member

• Steven Anderson, Activities Director/ Head Football Coach

• April Wahlstrom, Head Coach Cross Country / Track

• Stacy Spry, Head Softball Coach

• Arleigh Jorgenson, Head Baseball Coach

• Josh and Katie Belanger

• Linda Jurek

• Karen Blackburn

• Sue Hennessey

• Rena Rogers and Mary Lou Sorensen

• Dan and Clare Shirley

• Jessica and Tyler Dean

• Carrie Jansen

• Laura E. Scott

• Quinn McCloughan

• Chris and Ashley Sivertson

• David and Patricia Coleman

• Grace Grinager

• Terri and Trey Poe

• Connie Kirvida-Lehr

• Cathy Nevers and Michael Sampson

• Abby Tofte and Sam Hedstrom

• Chris O’Brien and Jane Alexander

• Bill and Cindy Hansen

• Sue Hakes

• Alex Gugala

• Scott Husby

• Mike and Rachel Theismann

• Sam and Katie Usem

• Fred and Maggie Anderson

• Sarah Stover

• Marcia Hyatt

• Paul Nordland and Molly Hicken

• Chris and Amanda Beal

• Bob and Sue McCloughan

• Spry Family

• Mark and Tari Shackleton

• Anne Marie Deneen

• Patty Doherty

• Nikki Rice

• Brit Malec and Dan Johnson

• Krista Peterson

• Sally and Tim Vahle

• Jack and Susan McGowan-Stinski

• Summer and Ryan Murray

• Mike Carlson

• Cory and Cathy Wilson

• Ritalee and Bruce Walters

• Myron Bursheim

• Ed and Kathy Bolstad

• Martha and Eric Williams

• Gina and Thomas Joyce

• Ann and Wayne Russ