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Crosby-Ironton Schools 2025 Operating Levy Referendum

At Crosby-Ironton Schools, we are proud to provide a high-quality education to our local kids. From strong academics to hands-on career opportunities, we are dedicated to preparing every student for a successful future.

2025 Operating Levy Referendum

Investing in Crosby-Ironton Students and Schools

We have worked hard to manage our budget while protecting the programs and services our students rely on. But like many districts across Minnesota, we face growing financial challenges due to the rising cost of education, inflation, and underfunding from the state.

Following unsuccessful referendums in 2023 and 2024, we were forced to make painful budget cuts—including cutting teaching positions, support staff, and extracurriculars.

Despite these efforts, our district faces a $1 million budget shortfall that threatens the excellent education our community expects and our students deserve. 

That is why Crosby-Ironton Schools is asking voters to again consider an operating levy this November. We do not make this request lightly. Without new funding, we will need to make even deeper cuts in the years ahead that will directly impact student learning.

A voter-approved operating levy would stabilize our budget, help protect core classroom learning and staffing, and support a quality education for our students.

This website was created to keep our community informed about the upcoming referendum. Please return here for more details about our challenges, the proposed plan, the cost to taxpayers, FAQs, and more.

Our Challenges

A Growing Funding Shortfall 

Unlike 70% of Minnesota school districts, Crosby-Ironton does not have a voter-approved operating levy. Meanwhile, state funding has lagged behind the rising cost of education, inflation, and costly government mandates for the past 20 years. 

To balance our budget, we’ve stretched every dollar and made tough choices, including over $1 million in cuts over the last two years. This has meant fewer teachers, fewer extracurricular activities, and fewer opportunities for our students.

Despite these reductions, our budget shortfall is expected to grow to $1.5 million over the next five years. Without additional funding, we cannot sustain the classes, programs, and services our students need to succeed.

The Plan

Protecting Quality Education In Our District

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters in our district will consider an operating levy that would provide $1.5 million ($1,521 per pupil) annually over the next 10 years to stabilize our budget and protect core classroom learning and staffing. 

If approved by voters, the proposed levy would allow us to continue providing a high-quality, well-rounded education to our students.    

  • An operating levy is a local, voter-approved property tax that provides additional funding to help cover the day-to-day costs of running a school district, including: 

    • Teacher and staff salaries

    • Classroom supplies and activities

    • Student support services

    • Academic programs and electives

    • Building operations

    • Implementation of state mandates

  • A $400,000 home in our district would see an estimated property tax increase of $26 per month starting in 2026. 

    Want to know the impact of the referendum on your taxes? Use our tax calculator to easily determine the tax impact of the referendum on your home or business.

Connect with Us

We want to hear from you.

Please share your questions and feedback about the referendum by submitting this form, and we will do our best to respond promptly.