Investing for a Stronger Future

As we transition into fall, many are thinking about the return to school, the changing colors of the leaves, or perhaps the indulgence of a pumpkin spice coffee. For public entities, however, this season also marks the beginning of tax levy discussions. One of the primary responsibilities of our school district, as with other public entities, is to maintain transparency in managing the financial resources entrusted to us by the community. This responsibility is taken very seriously, and we are pleased to report that most property owners will see a slight decrease in school district taxes next year. While the authority to set tax levies largely rests with the state legislature and the Department of Education, our district remains committed to managing its resources effectively and wisely.

In light of this, I would like to highlight some of the work we have undertaken to responsibly manage these financial resources.

School districts across Minnesota face significant challenges in securing adequate funding for facility maintenance. According to Nexus Solutions, an estimated $3.5 billion in deferred maintenance needs exists across the state’s districts. Often, school districts must seek additional financial support from the community through bond referendums for major facility improvements. However, through creative financing strategies, our district has been able to address some of our most pressing infrastructure needs without seeking additional taxpayer contributions.

A particular achievement we are proud of is the extensive work on our aging infrastructure. For example, the boiler systems at Cambridge Primary and Intermediate Schools, nearly 100 years old, were on the brink of failure. The high school’s boiler system, while slightly newer, was also in need of significant repair. Additionally, upgrades were needed for the wastewater discharge system at Cambridge Middle School. These long-standing issues had persisted without an adequate funding solution, and many contractors recommended building a new school. However, we felt that such an option would be too costly for the community, especially considering the various other needs across the district.

Through innovative financing methods, we successfully assembled funding from multiple sources, borrowing against future revenues to address these critical infrastructure needs without increasing taxes. We also incorporated energy efficiency enhancements to reduce operating costs, and thanks to careful planning, the project came in significantly under budget, allowing us to tackle additional deferred maintenance.

Last month, we discussed our improvements to the district’s parking lot infrastructure. Judging by the volume of feedback from the community over the years, this was clearly a priority. Once again, we found a way to enhance safety, accessibility, and functionality for both students and the community without raising taxes.

At Cambridge-Isanti, we take pride in delivering results that reflect our core values of transparency, trust, and financial stewardship. When we commit to making improvements without adding to the tax burden, we honor that promise. This is part of our broader dedication to managing community resources responsibly and ensuring that every decision is made with the best interests of our students, families, and taxpayers in mind.

As we move forward, we remain focused on striking a balance between addressing the needs of our schools and maintaining the long-term financial health of our community. Through thoughtful planning and continued collaboration, we will ensure that our schools thrive while upholding our commitment to fiscal responsibility.