RAISING DRAGONS, BUILDING FUTURES:
PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE DRAGONS
We’re so proud of our students, our programs, and our pride in being Dragons. Every day, our students are learning, competing, performing, building, creating, and representing our community with Dragon pride. The local area continues to thrive, and you are an important part of that.
We’ve worked hard to understand our ongoing operating budget and facility needs over the last several months. So far, we’ve completed an online community survey, a third‑party telephone survey, facility condition assessments, a demographic analysis, and an annual operating budget review, including a five-year forecast. Every step in this process has helped us better understand our needs.
Both pieces, our operations and our buildings, are important in supporting our Dragons. That’s why, this November, you will see two ballot questions. Question 1 is an operating levy to address our educational needs, and Question 2 is a building bond referendum to address our facility needs.
At the end of the day, these are the schools that you have invested in, and we’re so thankful to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback and be part of the conversation. Early and absentee voting begins Friday, September 18. We encourage you to learn more, ask questions, stay involved, and vote. Together, we’re committed to Raising Dragons, Building Futures.
OUR BIGGEST NEEDS
As we’ve reviewed our ongoing budget needs, maintaining our current programs and services requires stable funding to cover the day-to-day costs of running our schools. Our operating budget supports our people, programs, and services students rely on every day—from classroom instruction and student support to activities, transportation, technology, and building operations. We’ve maintained as much as possible, but state and federal funding only go so far, and we can’t continue without additional funding.
And as we've looked at our buildings, we’ve seen that some of our spaces no longer support today’s students and programs, especially as our schools age. Originally built in 1952, the Wagner Education Building is outdated and needs significant upgrades to building infrastructure systems, safety/accessibility, and the exterior. Lake Ripley Elementary School and Litchfield Middle/High School both require building improvements to continue supporting students and staff well, including building systems, lighting, and accessibility. And our grandstand needs deferred maintenance improvements to continue meeting our needs. Like all other buildings, things need to be replaced as they age, and we can only defer maintenance needs until they absolutely require replacement.
WHAT WE’RE ASKING RESIDENTS TO CONSIDER
On Tuesday, November 3, you will see two ballot questions–an operating levy and a building bond referendum.
HOW THIS IMPACTS YOU
We know every dollar matters, which is why we’ve worked hard to keep this proposal focused on our most important needs. For a $285,000 home, the estimated tax impact would be $11 per month for Question 1 and $8.25 per month for Question 2. An online tax calculator will be made available sometime this summer.
The amounts in the table are based on school district taxes for the proposed operating referendum and bonded debt levies only, and do not include tax levies for other purposes. Estimated tax impact includes principal and interest payments on the new bonds. Tax increases shown above are gross increases, not including the impact of the homeowner's Homestead Credit Refund ("Circuit Breaker") program. Owners of homestead property may qualify for a refund, based on their income and total property taxes. This will change the net effect of the proposed bond issue for those property owners.
For all agricultural property estimates, include a 70% reduction due to the School Building Bond Agricultural Credit for the school building bond only. Average value per acre is the total estimated market value of all land & buildings divided by total acres. If the property includes a home, then the tax impact on the house, garage, and one acre of land will be calculated in addition to the taxes per acre, on the same basis as a residential homestead or non-homestead property. If the same property owner owns more than $3.84 million of agricultural homestead land and buildings, a portion of the property will be taxed at the higher non-homestead rate.
NOTE: Agricultural property will pay taxes for question 1, the proposed operating referendum, based only on the value of the house, garage, and one acre. Seasonal recreational residential property (i.e., cabins) will pay no taxes for the proposed referendum.
CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES AND ARTICLES
Over the last several months, we’ve worked hard to understand our operational and buildings. We listened and heard your feedback. Here are some helpful resources about the process, with more information coming soon!
7.30.26 | KLFD Radio | “Litchfield School Board Approves Two Questions for the General Election Ballot in November”
6.29.26 | Willmar Radio | “Litchfield to Seek Approval of $15.4 Million Dollar Bond”
6.22.26 | Willmar Radio | “Litchfield School Board to Discuss Upcoming Levy Referendum”
6.11.26 | Litchfield Rail | “Litchfield School Board Wrestles with Financial Needs”
6.3.26 | Litchfield Rail | “School Board Weighs Referendum Needs, Voter Support”
4.16.26 | Litchfield Rail | “School District Continues Facility, Operational Review Process”
Litchfield School Board Work Session Presentation 5.11.26
Have Questions?
REACH OUT NOW!
Making an investment in our school is a decision you will make. Early and absentee voting begins Friday, September 18. We encourage you to learn more, ask questions, stay involved, and vote. Fill out this quick form, and we will be in touch!