Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District asking residents to vote for tax increase

DILWORTH, Minn. (KVRR) — In the last few years, the DGF school district has been forced to cut more than $1.1 million from its budget to avoid deficit spending. By cutting the budget, they’ve had to lay off teachers, administrators, staff members, and eliminate three bus routes.

“Staffing constitutes about seventy-six percent of our budget. And when you cut the budget, unfortunately, seventy-six percent, there’s going to be a portion of people that are hurt here. And that’s unfortunate, because that hurts kids,” said Shannon Hunstad, Superintendent of DGF School District.

This year, along with seventy other school districts, the district has decided they need to raise about $850,000 each year for the next ten years through an operating referendum. The decision would be made by voters within the school district, with taxes rising for a typical $250,000 home or business to be about $22 a month starting in 2026.

“I want to give our classroom teachers their budgets back, because we’ve been cutting that, freezing it since the last four years. And again, it’s back to that sustain, maintain. We want to give some of that back that we’ve taken away,” said Hunstad.

The money would also go to maintaining many of the school’s facilities, including operational costs such as insurance, special education, transportation, and utilities. It would also provide opportunities for students to try out a career in the field of their choice.

“I want the public to hear from me. This isn’t about adding special extras and all this. The money is going to be used so we can maintain some great things that are happening here. And make those small improvements when we can,” said Hunstad.

If the vote does not pass, Hunstad says that they will be forced to reduce staff positions, electives, and other services the school provides.

The polls open on November 4th from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm