November bond request to address growth

With approximately 1,000 new students projected to join the district over the next 10 years, voters will be asked on November 7, 2023 to consider a bond request for new and expanded facilities. If approved, the bond funding would:

The bond request is based on the recommendations of a community facilities planning team, along with feedback gathered during several community meetings and two district-wide surveys. The request will include the following projects.

To learn more, click on the LInks below:

LE icon — Replacing Lake Elmo Elementary

Security icon — Expanding and remodeling Oak-Land Middle School

New Spaces for Fall 2026

With approval of the bond, facility improvements would be completed by Fall 2026. That means today's kindergarten students would begin grade 3 in the new elementary schools.

Impact on Property Taxes

The bond request would cost taxpayers with a median priced home of $500,000 approximately $16 per month.

Approval of the ballot question would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and the debt service tax levies would remain in place for 22 years.

Your 2024 taxes will be based on the 2023 Estimated Market Value (EMV), which was provided on the “Notice of Valuation and Classification” mailed by your county in March 2023. You can also find your EMV by searching Washington County Property records.

To determine the estimated impact of the proposed ballot question on your 2024 taxes, use the calculator below or view sample property types and values.

Tax Impact Calculator

A good value

Our residents pay less in school taxes than residents in comparable districts.

Compare Taxes

Voting Information

Election Day is Nov. 7, 2023.

Absentee and early voting is available beginning Sept. 22, 2023.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Submit your questions and read responses to other people's questions about the bond request.

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Research & Reports

The bond request is based on feedback and recommendations from community members.

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Learn About Tax Credits & Refunds

Learn About Tax Credits & Refunds

There are certain Minnesota Tax Credits and Deferrals that may affect certain property owners’ situations. They include:

Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund

If your household income is less than approximately $128,280, you may qualify for the Homestead Credit Refund (also known as the “Circuit Breaker” refund). This program, which has existed since the 1970s, is intended to reduce tax burdens for homeowners with relatively low incomes and relatively high property tax burdens. Some important facts about this program are summarized below.

Available each year to owners of homestead property
Applies only to the taxes attributable to the house, garage, and one acre on agricultural homestead property
Available to all owners of residential homestead and agricultural homestead property with household incomes of less than $128,280
Refund is on a sliding scale, based on your income and your total property tax burden
The maximum refund is $3,140
Also available to renters
To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR

Special Property Tax Refund

If your total property taxes increase by more than 12 percent and more than $100 from one year to the next, you may qualify for a state refund equal to a portion of the increase. There is no income limit for this refund.

To determine eligibility and refund amounts, complete Minnesota tax form M1PR.

Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral

If you are 65 years or older and have a household income of $96,000 or less, you may be eligible to defer a portion of the property taxes on your home, through the Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral Program. The program:

Limits the maximum amount of property tax you pay to 3 percent of your total household income
Provides predictability; the amount of tax you pay will not change for as long as you participate in this program

The 2023 Legislature modified the requirements of this program by increasing the household income limit to $96,000. This new income limit is in effect for taxes payable in 2024 and later years.

Bond 2023