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2026 Referendum & School Funding Information | Sibley East Public Schools
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2026 Referendum & School Funding Information

Sibley East Operating Levy

This page provides factual information about the district’s proposed operating levy and explains how it differs from two other education-related ballot questions.

Three separate ballot questions

These questions have different purposes, election dates, funding sources and leadership. The outcome of one question does not determine the outcome of another.

Community-led

Pool Referendum

August 11, 2026
Purpose
Renovation, repair, remodeling and equipping of the existing pool.
Leadership
Citizen-led community group.
District operations?
No. It does not fund classroom instruction, staffing, transportation, technology or other district operating expenses.
District ballot question

Sibley East Operating Levy

November 3, 2026
Purpose
Support educational programs, student services and day-to-day district operations.
Leadership
Placed on the ballot by the Sibley East School Board.
Request
$850 per pupil unit for 10 years.
Statewide amendment

Permanent School Fund

November 3, 2026
Purpose
Modernize how Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund distributes investment earnings to public schools.
Tax increase?
No. The proposal uses earnings from the existing fund.
Estimated Sibley East impact
Approximately $28,000-$30,000 in additional annual funding.
Important: Each question should be considered independently. Voting for or against one question has no effect on the others.

Operating Levy at a Glance

The district is requesting additional operating revenue to support students, maintain programs and address ongoing financial pressures.

$850per pupil unit for 10 years
$935,000estimated additional revenue each year
$23/monthestimated increase for a $250,000 home

Why the district is asking now

  • The state general education formula is currently $7,481 per pupil; the district FAQ states it would be about $8,901 if it had kept pace with inflation.
  • The 2026-2027 budget includes an estimated $250,000 deficit spend.
  • The district expects its general fund balance to decline.
  • Costs for staffing, transportation, utilities, insurance, special education and instructional resources continue to rise.

Steps already taken

  • $245,000 in budget reductions and adjustments approved in spring 2026.
  • Administrative cost reductions.
  • Elimination of three extracurricular/co-curricular activities.
  • Classroom structural changes and an open teaching position left unfilled.
  • Larger class sizes used to reduce expenses.

Estimated Tax Impact

$225/year About $23 per month for a home valued at $250,000.

How property is affected

The estimated impact varies according to property value. For agricultural property, the operating levy is applied to the home, garage and one acre of land—not the full agricultural acreage.

The district FAQ states that Sibley East residents currently pay the second-lowest school property taxes among neighboring districts on a $250,000 home. With the proposed levy, Sibley East would be approximately in the middle of neighboring districts.

Estimate Your Property Tax Impact

Use the Ehlers property tax calculator to view an estimated impact for your property. The estimate is based on the information entered and is provided for informational purposes.

Open the Property Tax Calculator

What approval or non-approval could mean

If the levy is approved

  • Opportunity to add back teaching positions that have been left unfilled.
  • Potentially decrease class sizes in both buildings.
  • Continue current academic and extracurricular programming.
  • Possibly restore some high school courses not offered this year.
  • Maintain a fiscally responsible general fund balance.

If the levy is not approved

  • Additional budget reductions would be necessary.
  • Class sizes would likely continue to increase.
  • Current district programs could be reduced.
  • Rising operating and employee agreement costs would continue without the proposed new revenue.

How to Vote

Sibley East voters will see two different local referendum questions during two separate elections in 2026. Knowing which question appears on which ballot can help you prepare before you vote.

August 11, 2026 – Primary Election

Sibley East Community Pool Referendum

  • Placed on the ballot through a citizen-led petition process.
  • This is not the school district's operating referendum.
  • Your vote on this question is independent of the November operating referendum.

November 3, 2026 – General Election

Sibley East Public Schools Operating Referendum

  • Approved for the ballot by the Sibley East School Board.
  • Provides funding for the day-to-day operation of the school district.
  • This question is completely separate from the Community Pool Referendum.
Before you vote: Verify your voter registration and polling location. Because the Sibley East School District spans portions of Sibley, Le Sueur and Nicollet Counties, your polling place depends on your home address.

Find Your Polling Place

The Minnesota Secretary of State Polling Place Finder provides your assigned polling location, sample ballot and other voting information based on your home address.

Find My Polling Place

Ways to Vote

  • Vote early in person.
  • Vote by absentee/mail ballot.
  • Vote in person on Election Day.

Early and absentee voting are available before both the August Primary and November General Election according to Minnesota election law.

On Your Ballot

  1. Look for the applicable Sibley East referendum question.
  2. Read the question carefully before making your selection.
  3. Completely fill in the oval next to your choice.
  4. Review your ballot to make sure your intended selections are clearly marked.
  5. Cast your ballot or return your absentee ballot according to the provided instructions.

Remember: Voting YES or NO on one referendum does not affect your vote on the other. Each question stands on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep the most-requested answers directly on the page. Visitors can read without opening a document.

What is an operating referendum?

An operating referendum asks voters to consider additional funds for the school district’s general operating expenses, including educational programs, services and day-to-day operations.

Does $850 per pupil mean my taxes increase by $850?

No. The $850 figure is the requested amount per pupil unit used to calculate district revenue. The estimated increase for a $250,000 home is approximately $225 per year.

Would operating levy funds be used for the pool?

No. Operating levy revenue supports district educational operations and is not designated for the pool project.

Does the Permanent School Fund amendment replace the local levy?

No. The amendment is estimated to provide Sibley East approximately $28,000-$30,000 in additional annual funding. The local operating levy is estimated to generate approximately $935,000 annually. The funding sources serve different purposes and are not substitutes.

Can voters vote differently on each question?

Yes. Each is a separate ballot question and can be considered independently.

Documents and Resources

Each document opens directly with one click and includes information in English and Spanish. The most-requested information is also provided directly on this page.

Property Tax Calculator

Enter your property information to view an estimated tax impact for the proposed Sibley East operating levy.

Open Tax Calculator

Operating Levy FAQs 2026

Detailed information about the request, district finances, estimated tax impact, neighboring districts and possible outcomes.

View Operating Levy FAQ

Understanding the Separate Elections

A side-by-side explanation of the Sibley East Operating Levy and the citizen-led Pool Referendum.

View Election Comparison

Permanent School Fund FAQ

Information about Minnesota’s proposed constitutional amendment and its estimated impact on Sibley East.

View Permanent School Fund FAQ

How to Vote

Election dates, polling-place information, voting options and step-by-step guidance for the two Sibley East referendum elections.

View How to Vote Guide
Información en español

Información sobre el Referéndum Operativo 2026

La elección del Referéndum Operativo de Sibley East será el martes 3 de noviembre de 2026. El distrito solicita $850 por unidad estudiantil durante 10 años, lo que generaría aproximadamente $935,000 adicionales cada año.

El impacto estimado para una vivienda valorada en $250,000 sería aproximadamente $225 al año, o $23 al mes.

El Referéndum de la Piscina, el Referéndum Operativo de Sibley East y la enmienda del Fondo Permanente para las Escuelas son preguntas separadas. Los documentos anteriores incluyen información completa en inglés y español.

Questions?

Eric Martinez, Superintendent
Sibley East Public Schools
Phone: 507-964-8224
Email: eric.martinez@sibleyeast.org

Referendum information: www.sibleyeast.org/referendum

The district’s goal is to provide clear, factual and transparent information so voters can make informed decisions.

Page updated August 7, 2026 with referendum information, the Ehlers property tax calculator and voting guidance.

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