Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday calling for a special, two-question special election Nov 3, 2026. The new GFW school building in Gibbon is pictured above.

GIBBON — The Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday calling for a special, two-question special election Nov. 3.

Question 1 proposes a 10-year, $4 million capitol project levy to be used for the acquisition and maintenance of software, technology, and technology systems, and pay for technology-related personnel and training, acquire curriculum textbooks and materials and replace several school buses.

Question 2 would authorize up to $3.2 million in school building bonds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including the demolition of the former elementary school in Gibbon and middle school/high school in Winthrop. If approved, the school district levy would create an estimated annual tax increase of $22 per year or $2 per month for a home with a $175,000 estimated market value.

Superintendent Allen Berg said the projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Minnesota Commissioner of Education.

He said the school district continues to face financial pressures driven by inflation, rising operating and staffing costs, declining enrollment and partially-funded state and federal requirements.

“Overall, financial pressures have increased rapidly,” said Berg. “I want to reiterate that this is about long-term planning. Everything we’re talking about tonight will not take affect until 2028 at the earliest. Taxes would be payable in 2027, receivable in 2028. For the last few months, we’ve worked really hard on long-term district planning to take on public education pressures head-on.”

Berg said the district has cut more than $850,000 in expenditures.

He said strategic planning surveys show 50.5% of respondents agree school administration and the school board have effectively and efficiently spent tax money, 52.75% feel its very important for students to have access to technology in the classroom and at home and 57.95% support authorizing an additional tax levy for technology, safety and security.

Berg reasons for bonding include partially-funded state and federal mandates include information reporting requirements, mandatory testing and accountability reporting, special education services, emergency preparedness and mental health initiatives, paid family and medical leave programs, and free school meals with less funding.

Berg said the Ag2School (tax) Credit will cover 55% of agricultural property tax increases, or $1.75 million of the $3.2 million bond issue.

He said if taxpayers approve the capital projects, it would reduce the size and frequency of future operational cuts, allowing the school district to make more “thoughtful, long-term decisions. This approach allows the district to plan ahead instead of reacting to financial challenges year after year.”

Berg said early voting begins Friday, Oct. 16, and continues through Monday, Nov. 2.

Berg also talked about the former Fairfax school property that was sold for $53,000 on May 7, 2021.

“The district entered into a lease agreement to continue using the space but terminated it in 2023 due to ongoing maintenance issues,” he said. “The building owners are delinquent on their property taxes from 2025 to the present. They filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy July 6, 2026, and are now in the legal process of debt relief. They have until Sept. 4, 2026, to make payment to their bank for the debt owed. If the property goes into forfeiture, it would go to the state in the fourth year, managed by the county.”

For more information, visit www.gfwschools.org/election.