FAQs

Centennial Forward.

Maintaining strong schools requires both high-quality learning experiences and safe, well-functioning facilities.

On May 18, 2026, the Centennial School Board unanimously approved a resolution to place two questions on the November 2026 ballot: an operating levy & a bond (facilities) referendum.

This page will be updated regularly as questions are received from the community.

About the Referendum

Why are both an operating levy and a bond being proposed?

Why are both an operating levy and a bond being proposed?

The district’s needs fall into two different categories:

Supporting student learning (funded through an operating levy)
Maintaining and improving facilities (funded through a bond)

Both are part of the district’s long-range plan to maintain strong schools. Because these funding types are governed differently under state law, they must be presented as separate questions.

Operating Levy FAQs

Why is the operating levy being proposed?

This operating levy would provide an additional $375 per pupil per year for 10 years. That means the district would receive additional funding for the day-to-day operations of the school district, including staff, programs, and student services.
- State funding has not kept pace with inflation
  Since 2003, state funding has not kept pace with inflation, reducing the district’s purchasing power for over 20 years while unfunded mandates continue to place additional strain on our schools.
- Costs for staffing, programming, and student support continue to increase
  Having made $5 million in budget adjustments over the last three years, the district can no longer sustain this pace while continuing to provide a high-quality education that effectively serves all students.
- The levy would provide additional local funding to help maintain the high standard of excellence the community expects from Centennial Schools.

How would operating levy funds be used?

How would the Operating Levy impact my property taxes?

Bond / Facilities FAQs

Why is the bond being proposed?

This operating levy would provide an additional $108.9 million for 20 years to fund facilities and maintenance projects. That means the district would receive additional funding to address critical needs identified through the Centennial Forward long-range planning process, including:
- Updating aging facilities and building systems
- Improving safety and security across the district
- Updating learning environments for the needs of today’s students
- Providing additional capacity and program space to address overcrowding and appropriate spaces for learners.

How would Facilities Bond impact my property taxes?

Voting FAQs

When is Election Day?
Can I vote early?

Miscellaneous

Doesn’t the district already have operating levies?

Doesn’t the district already have operating levies?
- Yes. The district has two operating levies that currently generate approximately $996 per pupil.
- In 2015, Centennial voters approved an operating levy that currently generates $164 per pupil. It was renewed by the school board in May 2025 and provides funding for the district through June 2036.
- In 2018, Centennial voters approved an additional operating levy that currently generates $834 per pupil. It provides funding through June 2029.
  The school board renewal window for this levy expires June 2028.

Didn’t the community just pass a referendum?

Yes, in 2018, Centennial voters approved a two-question referendum – an operating levy and a capital bond.

Question 1: Operating Levy ($650 per pupil for 10 years).

The operating levy provided funding to support student learning and educational programming. Prior to the referendum, the district had made approximately $9.3 million in budget reductions over five years, including the elimination of 60 staff positions. The levy allowed the district to stabilize its finances and restore critical classroom supports, including teachers and paraprofessionals.

Question 2: Capital Projects Bond

The capital bond addressed safety and security needs, aging facilities, and outdated instructional technology. Projects included enclosing the outdoor corridor between the east and west buildings at Centennial High School to improve safety and accessibility for students, updating aging mechanical systems in fine arts facilities and the Sports Arena, and replacing instructional technology that had reached the end of its useful life.

Why is the district seeking voter approval again?

The 2026 referendum questions address current educational and facility needs that have emerged since 2018. Like many school districts across Minnesota, Centennial continues to face rising operating costs, increasing demands on schools, aging facilities, and ongoing maintenance needs. The proposed operating levy and facilities bond are designed to help maintain strong educational programming and safe, functional learning environments for students today and into the future.

How does Centennial’s referendum funding compare to neighboring districts?

School districts across Minnesota rely on voter-approved referendum funding to support educational programming, student services, and district operations. The amount of referendum funding varies by district based on local needs and voter-approved levies.

Centennial's current voter-approved operating levy provides $996 per pupil which is considerably lower than the maximum of $2,340 per pupil maximum allowed by the state. It is also lower than metro average as well as most neighboring and comparable school districts.

If approved, the proposed operating levy would help Centennial remain competitive while continuing to support student learning and educational programming.

A comparison of referendum revenue for Centennial and surrounding districts is shown below.

Operating Levy Comparison Neighboring Districts

Who can vote?

To vote, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old on Election Day
Live within the school district

Where do I vote?

Your polling location is based on your home address.

MN Pollfinder

Still Have Questions?

We are committed to providing accurate, timely information.

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Centennial Forward 2026 | Understand the Plan | How We Got Here | Compare the Question | See the Tax Impact

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