Operating Levy Expires Soon
The Chisholm Public Schools currently has an operating levy in place that is set to expire next year. The district has used these funds for a variety of purposes, including equipment and supplies, teacher and staff salaries, co-curricular programs, and student technology.
Without a replacement levy, the district would lose about $200,000 per year in funding. This would lead to a reduction of programs and services for students.
Where does school revenue come from?
Referendum revenue, approved by Chisholm voters in 2012, is now $200,000 each year, or 2% of the district’s budget.
Most of the rest of the district’s funding comes from the state of Minnesota; some comes from the federal government. Unfortunately, state funding has not kept pace with inflationary increases in educational costs. If state revenue had kept pace with inflation, it’s estimated that state revenue per pupil would be $8,126 this year, $1,263 more than the actual figure.
The Chisholm Public Schools currently has an operating levy in place that is set to expire next year. The district has used these funds for a variety of purposes, including equipment and supplies, teacher and staff salaries, co-curricular programs, and student technology.
Without a replacement levy, the district would lose about $200,000 per year in funding. This would lead to a reduction of programs and services for students.
Where does school revenue come from?
Referendum revenue, approved by Chisholm voters in 2012, is now $200,000 each year, or 2% of the district’s budget.
Most of the rest of the district’s funding comes from the state of Minnesota; some comes from the federal government. Unfortunately, state funding has not kept pace with inflationary increases in educational costs. If state revenue had kept pace with inflation, it’s estimated that state revenue per pupil would be $8,126 this year, $1,263 more than the actual figure.
Facilities
Our facilities are in desperate need of repair.
Desperate Need of Repair Vaughan Steffensrud School, Chisholm Elementary, and Chisholm High School each have pressing facility and deferred maintenance needs that require the attention of our entire community. The lists below are a summary of the major needs for each district facility - numerous additional details are requiring constant attention. |
Virtual Tour - Facility Issues in Photos
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Vaughan Steffensrud School
Built in 1958, Vaughan Steffensrud School has about $7 million in deferred maintenance. The schools facility needs include:
Built in 1958, Vaughan Steffensrud School has about $7 million in deferred maintenance. The schools facility needs include:
- Ventilation and temperature control issues
- Lack of dehumidification
- Gym doubles as cafeteria
- Undersized kitchen and storage areas
- Basement flooding
- Flooring needs replacement
- Lack of developed field space

Chisholm Elementary School
Chisholm Elementary School was built in 1913 and has an estimated $18 million in deferred maintenance. The school’s facility needs include:
Chisholm Elementary School was built in 1913 and has an estimated $18 million in deferred maintenance. The school’s facility needs include:
- More secure entrance
- Kitchen and cafeteria is undersized and also serves the high school
- Safety concerns with parent pick-up/drop-off on city street
- Students must cross street to access playground
- Limited ventilation systems and lack of dehumidification
- Plumbing systems and building envelope need upgrades

Chisholm High School
Chisholm High School, built in 1924, has about $17.5 million in deferred maintenance. The schools facility needs include:
Chisholm High School, built in 1924, has about $17.5 million in deferred maintenance. The schools facility needs include:
- Needed improvements to plumbing systems, building envelope, boiler system, temperature control and flooring/windows in classrooms
- No dedicated kitchen/cafeteria
- No adjacent field space for athletics, activities, and physical education classes
- Swimming/diving pool too small/shallow for competitions; filtration system needs upgrades