Referendum 2021: Referendum overview, community meetings, early voting begins
(09/17/2021) Voters in Anoka-Hennepin communities will have the opportunity to weigh in on three ballot questions on or before Nov. 2, considering a renewal of two levies for learning and investing in a new operating levy providing support for all students.
Referendum 2021 includes two questions to renew levies to fund operations and technology that would not increase taxes but would extend current funding while supporting student learning. Planning and research obtained from community surveys over the past year demonstrated community understanding regarding the services this funding provides. By asking the community to weigh in now, the school district may be able to avoid cutting resources beginning in the summer of 2022 if the community decides that the questions on the ballot are still priorities in the school system.
Renewing the two levies for learning positions the school district to maintain services, programs and resources:
- Question 1 renews 9.3% of the school district’s operating budget, which would maintain the current level of instruction and instructional support, class size guidelines, transportation and pupil support, and district and school operations. Approval of this question would result in no increase in taxes. Current tax levies would be extended.
- Question 2 is a capital projects levy that enables schools to maintain technology tools and resources to support learning in the classroom. This includes computers, broadband infrastructure and networks, and audio-enhanced classrooms across the school district. Recent surveys indicated that 84% of community members believed the ability for students to use computers and other technology was essential or very important. Approval of this question would result in no increase in taxes. Current tax levies would be extended.
- Question 3: Anoka-Hennepin would be able to continue mental health and academic support for students initially provided through one-time federal funds in response to the pandemic. The one-time federal funding expires in the 2022-23 school year. If approved, new taxes would start being collected in 2023. Approval of this question would result in approximately $10 per month for a $250,000 home. Visit the property tax calculator at ahschools.us/vote2021 for detailed estimates.
Community informational meetings at area high schools
Anoka-Hennepin Schools will host community meetings this fall to ensure residents are informed about Referendum 2021. The meetings, which are organized in a conversational open house format, will run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at each high school, and include a short 15-minute presentation starting at 6:35 p.m. The format and content of the meetings will be similar at each location. Dates and locations include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 21: Blaine High School
- Wednesday, Sept. 22: Champlin Park High School
- Thursday, Sept. 23: Anoka High School
- Tuesday, Sept. 28: Andover High School
- Wednesday, Sept. 29: Coon Rapids High School
The presentation portion of the meeting will be livestreamed at ahschools.us and on Facebook.com/AHSchools for those unable to attend.
Early voting by mail or in-person starts Sept. 17
In Minnesota, you don’t have to wait until election day to cast your ballot — you can vote early for any reason starting Friday, Sept. 17.
- Vote early by mail: Early voting applications for both Anoka and Hennepin county residents are available online by clicking “Vote early” at ahschools.us/vote2021 or at any district school.
- Vote early in person: Residents also have the option of voting early in-person at the Anoka County Elections office – again, both Anoka and Hennepin County residents – at the Anoka County Elections office, 325 E Main St. in downtown Anoka.
Voters can cast their ballots on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, at their normal polling location. Click "Polling place finder" on the Vote 2021 website, ahschools.us/vote2021, for more information.
Check out the voting information video for more details.
More information available
For additional voting information, and the latest on the referendum, visit ahschools.us/vote2021
Have a specific question? Call the Referendum 2021 hotline at 763-506-7777 or email Referendum2021@ahschools.us.