WE ARE AITKIN
Since 2016, Aitkin Public Schools has thoughtfully planned for investments in our schools that reflect our community’s priorities and support future generations of students, staff, and residents. This process led to the proposal of two building bond referendum questions on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, which were narrowly rejected by voters.
In the following months, the school board considered feedback from the community and explored opportunities to reduce the cost of improvements while still addressing the district’s most important needs. On Monday, January 12, the Aitkin School Board voted to return to residents with an updated investment plan. This plan will be considered by voters during a referendum on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Like the November 2025 plan, the April referendum seeks to replace Rippleside Elementary with a new building, expand storage for buses and district vehicles, and add gym space for students and community members, but at a lower cost to taxpayers.
There will be three questions on the ballot. Question One will propose a new PreK-6 elementary school to replace Rippleside Elementary, Question Two will propose a new transportation center, and Question Three will propose an additional gymnasium station connected to the new school.
How will this new plan differ from the November 2025 referendum?
Under the new plan, square footage for the new elementary school, vehicle storage, and gym would be reduced. Thanks to the reduction in size and financial assistance from the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), the projected tax impact for homeowners will be approximately 33% lower than that of the November plan. There will also be three questions instead of two to give residents greater control over which investments to vote for or against. If approved, Question One would support the new elementary school to replace Rippleside Elementary, Question Two would support the additional vehicle storage, and Question Three would support the additional gym space. Question Two is contingent on the successful passage of Question One, and Question Three is contingent on the successful passage of both Questions One and Two.
Aitkin Public Schools are committed to keeping our community informed about this important effort. More detailed information about the updated plan, how it will impact students, and the cost to taxpayers will be provided in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more on our efforts to improve learning for our youngest students.