August 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM - Special School Board Meeting Re: Referendum

The Duluth Public Schools held a special school board meeting on August 6, 2026, to discuss and approve a resolution authorizing an operating levy referendum. The referendum proposes increasing the general education revenue by raising the referendum levy authority by $438 per pupil for 2027 and $933 per pupil for 2028 through 2036, adjusted annually for inflation. The board discussed the financial challenges facing the district, including significant budget cuts totaling over $12 million in recent years and the need for additional funding to avoid further reductions that could impact classroom resources, athletics, and transportation. Community engagement efforts included a survey with over 2,000 participants, showing approximately 63% support for additional school funding. The board unanimously approved the resolution to place the referendum questions on the November ballot, emphasizing the importance of stable funding for educational quality and community economic health.