Fargo School Board to Consider Excess Mill Levy Vote

Potential ballot measure would maintain current funding levels, not raise taxes

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Fargo School Board will decide whether to place a question on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot to maintain the district's current 110-mill general fund levy authority. According to district officials, the vote would not increase or decrease overall property taxes.

Why it matters

Excess mill levy authority votes are an important tool for school districts to maintain funding levels, but can be politically contentious if perceived as tax increases. The Fargo School Board is taking a cautious approach by framing this as a vote to preserve the status quo rather than raise taxes.

The details

The school board memo states that the proposed 110-mill levy would 'maintain the District's current general fund mill levy authority and would not increase or decrease the overall levy.' This means the vote would simply reauthorize the district's existing taxing power without changing the actual tax rate paid by residents.

  • The Fargo School Board will vote on whether to place the measure on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot at their regular meeting on Tuesday.

The players

Katie Christensen-Mineer

President of the Fargo School Board.

Dr. Cory Steiner

Superintendent of Fargo Public Schools.

Jackie Gapp

Chief Financial Officer of Fargo Public Schools.

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What’s next

If the school board approves placing the measure on the ballot, Fargo voters will have the final say on whether to reauthorize the district's 110-mill general fund levy in the November 3, 2026 election.

The takeaway

The Fargo School Board is taking a cautious approach to maintaining its current funding levels by framing a potential ballot measure as a vote to preserve the status quo rather than raise taxes, which could make it more palatable to voters.