Share Your Voice: Future Planning and Potential Referendum Survey

Over the last several months, our district has navigated a difficult $4.2 million cut for the 2026-2027 school year, driven by unprecedented cost increases—including a 15% jump in insurance premiums—and state and federal funding formulas that simply haven't kept pace with inflation.

Throughout this process, our priority has been to protect the daily learning experience. To do this, we intentionally reduced district administrative and operational costs by over 16% ($1.12 million). Despite these efforts, we still had to reduce our school sites by 5%, which impacted 48 teachers and support staff.

To be transparent about the fiscal challenges we face, we must acknowledge that this is part of an ongoing, multimillion-dollar trend. To manage our budget, the district has had to make the following cuts:

• 2024-2025: Cut $2.6 million
• 2025-2026: Cut $5 million
• 2026-2027: Cut $4.2 million
• 2027-2028: We will need to cut another $5-7 million regardless of a referendum outcome
• 2028-2029: If a proposed referendum does not pass, we will have to cut an additional $5-7 million

Unless we take action, this trajectory means even deeper cuts to teachers and district services, increased class sizes, and the elimination of programming for our students. We cannot continue to support the schools our students deserve without addressing this ongoing gap.

We Need Your Feedback 

Because your voice is vital for the future of Duluth Public Schools, we are exploring a community referendum and are asking you to take our Needs and Potential Referendum Feedback Survey.

This survey will ask for your perspective on our capital plans, student supports, and whether you support an operational levy to maintain or increase staffing and programming. It also includes a section on financial tolerance, asking you to weigh in on specific property tax impact options ($0, $5, $10, or $15 per month based on a $300,000 home) and the corresponding impacts those options would have on district cuts or expansions.

When you open the survey, you will find a brief video message from Superintendent John Magas explaining more about our current situation. Please take a few minutes to watch the message and share your thoughts.

Thank you for your continued support of Duluth Public Schools.

Needs and Potential Referendum Feedback Survey