Please support the school 

referendum

To the Editor,

Henning School Board is seeking to take advantage of a law change impacting seasonal/recreational property.  This change allows for a portion of existing property tax dollars to be allocated to the local school district rather than to the state general fund.  This would mean Henning school would be able to receive additional dollars ONLY if the operating referendum on the ballot is passed.

The ballot will say you are voting for a tax increase.  If the referendum passes the School Board plans to set their annual school levy at ZERO.  The increase the school would receive is a result of the legislation change.

Please join us and vote YES for the Henning School Operating Referendum.

Doug and Diane Thorson,

Henning

Henning School will benefit from referendum

To the Editor,

Minnesota’s rural school districts face a frustrating dilemma. We need more funding for our students, but our residents are unable to sustain the financial burden of ever-increasing property taxes. For cabin-heavy areas like Henning, this problem is compounded by the fact that 42.33 percent of all homes are considered “non-resident, seasonal recreation” properties. For decades, the money these non-resident homeowners have paid in property taxes has been remitted directly to the Minnesota General Fund rather than benefiting Henning schools. In other words, when a district like Henning needs to invest in education, the financial burden has fallen on year-round residents and local businesses. This November, we have an opportunity to change that.

  On your ballot this year, you will see a levy referendum. If it passes, the tax-neutral referendum will allow Henning to recoup the property tax money paid by non-resident homeowners to the General Fund and use the money for local purposes. This will enable the Henning School District to increase its operating referendum from $535 per student to $2,180 per student without causing a school-related property tax increase for residents. I also want to make it clear that there will be no school-related property tax increase for non-resident homeowners. The referendum would simply allow Henning to recoup the money these homeowners are currently paying to the state and use it for local benefit. Parents, teachers, school board members, and taxpayers in Henning know their schools far better than anyone in St. Paul, and this referendum will put more dollars and decisions in their hands to continue to provide educational excellence.

  If passed, the referendum would likewise give Henning enough money to reduce “local optional revenue” from $724 per adjusted pupil unit to $0 per adjusted pupil unit. Currently, districts have the authority to impose local optional revenue levies directly through a school board vote rather than putting an operating referendum on the ballot for public approval. Given recent budget shortfalls, most school districts in Minnesota choose to do so. However, the money gained by this year’s ballot referendum would give Henning the ability to eliminate this extra tax.

  I am pleased to inform you about this referendum, as I was an enthusiastic supporter of the bipartisan Seasonal Recreation Tax Base Replacement Aid bill, which passed during the 2026 Legislative Session and made these recoupments possible. This is a rare win-win-win opportunity for rural communities to enhance school funding and localize our decision-making, all while avoiding an undue burden on taxpayers.

  IMPORTANT NOTE TO AVOID CONFUSION: When you receive your ballot, there will be a sentence under the referendum that states: “BY VOTING ‘YES’ ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” This warning is required by state law for ballot measures regarding school levy increases. However, in this circumstance, the levy increase would be entirely offset by the new funds received through the recoupment of non-resident property taxes. The net effect will be greater funding for Henning School District with zero increase in your school-related property taxes.

  Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about this ballot referendum. As your representative, I would be glad to discuss it with you in greater detail.

Tom Murphy,

State Representative 

District 09B

Support Jesse Hermanson 

for mayor

To the Editor,

For over 11 years I faithfully served with Henning Ambulance Service and for three in a half years, I was privileged to be the director. It came with many challenges and obstacles, learning rules and regulations that must be upheld on the medical side, as well as being a rural, city-owned ambulance service and working with city council. 

Amongst the many issues, changes and day-to-day challenges that a leader may face, I will say that I had the support of my family, close friends, crew members and most of the city council. 

One who was willing to listen to all sides of issues that were being faced, long before he was the mayor, was Jesse Hermanson. 

This letter is not to dredge up past grievances, but to look at the character of those who faced them. From township meetings, sprint medic pilot program, a new ambulance order, and crew/staffing challenges, Jesse (being apart of the ambulance committee) was always willing to meet, listen with an open mind, and discuss options. 

Our mayor has been willing to question, learn, research and understand about EMS, not quick to throw down judgement or make brash decisions until more information was obtained. 

Jesse was also helpful in attending important EMS meetings when I was unavailable or even to attending to better understand the EMS world. Working alongside Jesse while being the ambulance director has shown me that he is an individual who is grounded with morals and willing to step up and make a difference. 

I have watched a person who has a sincere, heartfelt desire to see the small town of Henning not only survive, but to thrive and come alive once more. 

Respectfully,

        Chelsey Waskosky,

Henning