Voters Decide the Future of School Funding as Fargo Public Schools Places 110-Mill Levy on Ballot
Local property tax funding limits for future collection are the focus of a voter request by Fargo Public Schools. The question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot asks voters to approve a general fund levy of 110 mills starting Dec. 31, 2027, as Valley News Live reported.
The district’s general fund levy is now 127 mills. This property tax rate helps pay for day-to-day school operations and staff pay across the district.
What the Proposed Levy Pays For
Superintendent Dr. Cory Steiner said approval of the levy would not raise taxes. Instead, it would allow the district to keep doing what it is doing now and serves as a continuation of what the district has done for many years.
When breaking down where the money goes, Steiner noted that 80% of the general fund goes toward salary and benefits. The other 20% goes toward software and technology, transportation expenses for programs, and supplies.
Fargo Public Schools Proposes New General Fund Levy
According to the ballot measure, the school system currently maintains a general fund levy of 127.00 mills alongside a statutory general fund cap of 70 mills per dollar of taxable property valuation within the district. It asks: “Shall Fargo Public School District No. 1 have a general fund mill levy of 110.00 mills effective December 31, 2027?” Fargo Public Schools states that passage would secure the authorization needed to preserve existing educational programs throughout its schools.
In 2017, Fargo Public Schools was approved for an excess levy of 127 mills. For the 2025-26 school year, the board of education elected to divide its general fund levy capacity into distinct authorized categories: 109.98 mills allocated to the general fund, 12 mills designated for the miscellaneous fund, and 4.8 mills assigned to the tuition fund. Because of this restructuring, the district is seeking a lower excess mill levy than the previous authorization. The miscellaneous fund mills and tuition fund mills will continue outside of this excess mill levy.
Comparing a Yes Vote Versus a No Vote
The district’s frequently asked questions page explains that a “yes” vote means Fargo Public Schools will receive tax dollars based on the true assessed value of individual property, continuing to provide quality educational opportunities for all students in the district.
A negative outcome would freeze district revenues at the exact level of property tax collections recorded throughout the 2027-28 fiscal year. Future growth in city property values and rising assessments would no longer translate into supplemental general fund revenue for the district.
The district notes that a failed vote would have a direct impact on programming and services provided to students and families. To adapt, the administration would be forced to implement financial adjustments including service cutbacks, operational rollbacks, and structural overhauls affecting staff, programs, and offerings.
“Great school districts always are looking forward and they’re very nimble, and able to adapt to the needs of their community and the needs their families, and the needs of their learners,” Steiner said regarding the budget effects of a failed vote. “If we don’t pass it, it will just cause us to have to look backwards more instead of forward because it means we’re going to have continually to play catch-up with our budget.”
