Hibbing School Board Pursues a $2.6 Million Referendum

HIBBING, Minn. — The Hibbing School District is addressing a $2.6 million shortfall, which the school board has approved a motion to pursue a referendum.

The Superintendent of Hibbing Schools Richard Aldrich says that the increasing costs and lowering enrollment numbers has led the district to this shortfall.

This year to address the $2.6 million in reductions Hibbing Schools had to not renew some non-tenured staff, place some tenured staff to go on a leave of absence, and cut paraprofessionals and maintenance staff; some who were added to the school district during COVID.

The school board is proposing a $1.3 million operating levy and a $1.3 million capital projects levy that would general $2.6 million per year for the next 10 years.

“Even though if the referendum were to pass, as presented we would not be able to bring all of those positions back,” said Aldrich. “That’s really based on enrollment and moving forward with the student levels. But it will maintain that exceptional level of education that our community expects.”

If the referendum passes, in full, a homeowner with a home valued at $175,000 would have to pay an extra $19.76 per month.

This referendum is up for vote this fall on November 4th.

If the referendum doesn’t pass, the Superintendent said that the schools would have to make additional cuts.