FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters will consider a referendum to support student achievement and career readiness by replacing outdated learning spaces and investing in technology that prepares students for success in an ever-changing world. 

The single ballot question asks voters to consider:

A $49.14 million building bond: 

• Replace and modernize Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces

• Renovate outdated classrooms and science labs

• Address overcrowding and accessibility challenges

• Update aging infrastructure such as boilers and roofs

A $750,000/year capital projects levy (tech levy): 

• Fund essential classroom technology

• Support devices, software, infrastructure, and training

To learn more about the proposed referendum, visit the Proposed Referendum page.

In November 2021 the school board put two questions on the ballot seeking to complete critical updates at our school buildings and activities spaces. After these questions were not approved, the district created a community task force to evaluate options to improve learning spaces and hear the priorities of community members.

The task force spent nearly two years carefully evaluating our biggest facilities needs. These efforts included:

• Comprehensive facility studies

• Educational adequacy assessments

• Eleven community listening sessions

• Demographic and enrollment studies

• A representative survey of staff and district residents

A community task force of more than 30 local residents considered the results and provided recommendations to the Princeton School Board. Financial and construction experts reviewed the recommendations, and the board finalized the proposed referendum.

On August 5, 2025 the board approved a resolution to call for a special election.

To learn more about the planning process, visit the Process page.

Our vision is to equip every student to be career and college ready through personalized instruction, community partnerships, and collaboration.

If approved by voters, this proposed referendum would:

• Create new space and equipment for career and technical education in areas such as healthcare, automotive technology, construction and engineering, welding, woods, machining, culinary arts, business, and more. 

• Update core education spaces that support our innovative curriculum, giving students and teachers safe and collaborative spaces to work, learn and prepare for their future. 

• Invest in maintenance to keep our schools comfortable and energy-efficient, saving our district money on repairs and energy costs for many years to come.

• Improve amenities used by all students, community members, and visitors, supporting physical education and community activities at our schools, while improving their accessibility, privacy, and longevity.

• Provide funding for technology essential to operating classrooms and for career-specific learning, including maintaining and updating devices, software, and technology infrastructure that supports classrooms and career training.

Princeton High School students have a variety of interests and career aspirations. Our vision is to equip every student to be career and college-ready. About half of our students will pursue careers that require a four-year degree and about half of our students will pursue careers that require an apprenticeship, associate’s degree or on-the-job training. Whatever their path, Princeton High School inspires students to explore careers, discover their passions and talents, and plan for their future. Learn more about Tiger Career Academies here.

If the referendum is not approved, many of our classrooms will remain outdated and poorly suited to today’s hands-on, collaborative learning. Career and technical education spaces — some of which are over 50 years old — will continue to operate in temporary, undersized facilities that limit enrollment and pose safety concerns. 

Without dedicated funding for technology, the district will need to rely on its general fund to cover rising costs for devices, software, and infrastructure, putting pressure on resources meant for classroom instruction and student support. Ultimately, students will miss out on the modern tools and learning environments they need to prepare for college, careers, and life in an ever-changing world.

In Minnesota, voters decide whether school districts can increase property taxes to pay for the bonds used for renovating and constructing school buildings. Like a loan on a car or mortgage on a house, the bonds need to be repaid over time plus interest. 

A capital projects levy – often referred to as a technology levy – is a voter-approved local property tax used for specific technology, transportation, and capital needs. Technology levies provide more flexibility to use general fund dollars for instruction and student support. This type of levy applies to all property types, including agricultural and seasonal recreational property.

Each part of the proposed referendum supports different but equally important needs in our schools. The bond focuses on major updates to learning spaces, like expanding career and technical education areas and renovating outdated classrooms. The capital projects levy provides funding for essential technology that supports student learning and career readiness.

By proposing both types of levies in a single question, the district is taking a balanced approach: addressing long-term facility needs while also keeping up with the fast-changing technology students rely on every day. 

Strong schools promote strong families and businesses, maintain property values, help stimulate economic growth, and create local job opportunities. Our school also serves as a hub for community education, events, and athletics.