At Hibbing Public Schools, we are proud of our legacy and committed to our mission: providing an excellent education to help every student reach their full potential. From our talented teachers and staff to our high graduation rates, strong academic performance, and great local partnerships, our schools reflect the strength and spirit of our community.

Hibbing Public Schools November 2025 Referendum

We have worked hard to live within our means. But as we confront rising costs of education, inflation, and unfunded government mandates, our district faces growing financial challenges. Like many schools across the state, we have been forced to make painful decisions, including eliminating 34 staff positions this past spring. Despite these efforts, our schools face a funding shortfall of $2.6 million.

Without new funding, we cannot sustain the quality education our community expects and our students deserve.

That is why the Hibbing School Board is proposing a referendum this November that would allow us to stabilize our budget and continue the great legacy of Hibbing Public Schools.

This website was created to keep our community informed during the referendum. Please stay tuned for more details, including information about the challenges we want to address, the plan, the taxpayer impact, answers to frequently asked questions, and more.

The Challenges We Face

We can’t maintain excellence with ongoing budget cuts.

Hibbing Public Schools has not asked for an operating levy in more than 15 years, which sets us apart from most rural and even most Iron Range school districts. In that time, we have stretched every dollar and made necessary cuts to balance our budget. But rising costs, inflation, and unfunded state mandates have left us in a painful cycle of making cuts that directly impact staff and students.

This spring, the district had to eliminate 34 staff positions, including classroom teachers, paraprofessional special education staff, some electives, social workers and other mental health supports, and administration. This means larger class sizes, fewer course options, and less support for students who need it most.

Without new funding, the district will be forced to make even deeper cuts in the coming years. Ongoing cuts will threaten our ability to provide the best opportunities for our students and keep the great teaching staff we have.

The Plan

Two levies to stabilize our budget and maintain excellence.

The Hibbing School Board is asking voters to consider two ballot questions on Tuesday, November 4:

Question One

Asks voters to consider a $1.3 million operating levy ($603 per pupil) to help fund day-to-day school needs, including classroom supplies, program costs, staff salaries, utilities and routine maintenance.
Question Two

Asks voters to consider a $1.3 million capital projects levy to help fund building and technology needs, helping us keep the general fund focused on students and learning.

Together, these levies would generate $2.6 million per year over the next 10 years—enough to protect current class sizes, retain our dedicated teachers and staff, and ensure students have access to the classes, programs and support they need.

An operating levy and a capital project levy each help reduce the budget deficit and support our students, staff and schools. By funding different needs, they create a balanced strategy to stabilize the district’s budget. They are taxed in different ways, which helps spread the impact among taxpayers.
- By law, school districts must separate operating levies and capital project levies on a ballot because they impact taxpayers differently.
- Operating levies exempt seasonal recreational property and farmland, while capital project levies apply to all property types.
- For a home valued at $175,000, the tax increase would be approximately $19.76 per month.
- Tax calculator coming soon: Please stay tuned for a tax calculator that will allow residents to estimate their specific property tax impact.