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There were no changes made to the spending and revenue numbers proposed for the 2025-2026 school year, as Chisago Lakes Board members adopted the budget and levy.    The estimated increase for the levy that will be billed as property tax in 2025 is 1.6 percent.  The local levy collected $11.3 million for this year and goes to about $11.5 million for pay 2025.  

Chisago Lakes School Board plans to expend through all funds, including state and federal direct aid, $59.6 million.

The debt service for Chisago Lakes’ budget is tied to three loans that are outstanding:  the referendum bond sale of 2017 originally for $61 million, the 2018 $3.7 million in bonding and $1.2 million borrowed in 2020.  There’s $56.3 million remaining to be paid-off.

The audit for the prior fiscal year was also presented to the Board at the Dec. 19 meeting and it was welcome news that Chisago Lakes is seeing balances recover from dipping quite low two years ago.   Balances are key;  due to the fact tax distributions only arrive twice a year and bills need to be covered when receipts are delayed.  The state legislature has also been known to carve into education earmarks anticipated as aid— when state finances call for hasty measures.

Audit firm representative Justin Nilson, of Abdo, assured the Board the district has “good management” in keeping expenditures in line and does admirably with less aid than do other districts. For example, the state average in daily membership (ADM) expenses is around $16,300 annually and Chisago’s audit put this number for last year  at $13,600 

Other considerations in finances the Board digested included; news the district’s state aid is expected to go down by $85,000, based on formulas that include among other factors—enrollment, — which for Chisago Lakes ISD 2144 has dipped from 3,420 in fiscal year 2020 to 3,253 this year.  

The maximum amount the district can collect is also based on taxable valuation of property, age of buildings, and a host of district-specific factors.  

Board Chair Lori Berg pointed out for the two members of the public who spoke at the taxation hearing December 19;  that Chisago Lakes ranks 311 of the state’s 328 districts in level of per pupil funding(average daily membership calculation.)  

There was a comment from an unidentified woman that the hearing is held at a bad time of year, being the midst of holiday time.  She was advised the hearing process is set forth in state law.  

Another taxpayer was invited to call the district office and make an appointment to have staff explain how the budget translates to their property-specific information.

Board member Jeff Lindeman also cautioned citizens to read property tax statements carefully. There is a line for the county, one for the city or township, and for special taxing districts, and  needs beyond just the schools.  Each line amount is affected by different local policymakers.  Chisago Lakes, he added, has kept its school tax liability fairly consistent over the past few years,  with the exception of a hike for the voter-approved levy about six years ago.  The big unknown is property valuation.  Valuation is part of the formula and can only be contested through the assessor.  Realize also that certain properties are in different tax classes (ag, seasonal, commercial, residential, etc.) and the formula used to calculate these will vary.   Some parcels also gain in value and others may decrease, so the percentage acted on by the school board is not going to equate directly to individual parcels.

Two student representatives attending the Board session were very upbeat and reported on the many community-oriented efforts being accomplished by students, mentioning the food shelf drives, the compassion collection of hygiene items, a recent toy drive and more.  They also noted  performing music at area events and attendance for on-campus concert.

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