# October 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular School  Board Meeting

The Duluth Public Schools regular School Board meeting on October 20, 2026, focused on the district’s financial outlook, a proposed operating levy referendum, and upcoming budget reductions. Administrators outlined three reduction scenarios: approximately $5 million in cuts next year if referendum questions pass, with the nature of reductions depending on the outcome, or roughly $12 million over two years if neither passes. The district expects to begin planning immediately after the vote and aims to bring recommendations to the Board by January. The Board also heard that a demographics and capacity study will return for discussion at the November work session, and reviewed proposed legislative priorities related to special education funding, literacy, Duluth Promise, and unfunded mandates.

Procurement and facilities items included an Ordinese Middle School boiler replacement RFP (No. 351), to be purchased through the TIPS cooperative purchasing system rather than a separate bid process; planned roofing work next summer; district-wide Wi-Fi expenditure contracts; and ongoing facilities projects. The Board’s consent agenda, which included business and contract items, passed. Members also accepted donations and an Arrowhead Library System grant for Lester Park Media Center signage (the transcript’s amount is unclear), and approved resolutions supporting applications for Minnesota State High School League Foundation grants to offset student activity fees and support athletic and fine-arts programs. The 2021 facilities maintenance bond closure was reported as informational: approximately $10 million had funded facilities work, including $6 million for Duluth Central Education Services and $4 million for other projects.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 20, 2026

### Sources
- [October 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular School  Board Meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pXdBPqWzLY) - Duluth Public Schools