Becker and Big Lake residents rejected school requests for more funding.
Becker Ballot
Becker ISD 726 asked voters to pass a revenue authorization to increase its general education revenue by $200 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation. Superintendent Jeremy Schmidt wrote in the November 1, 2025 edition of the Patriot that the levy would have allowed the district to maintain continuity and stability by keeping current staffing levels and programs intact, protect valued programs, and prepare the district for uncertainty amid rising costs and new state and federal mandates.
Schmidt released this statement following Tuesday’s election results. “We are thankful to everyone who took time to learn about the proposal and participate in this important decision. While the result is disappointing, our focus remains on our students and ensuring excellent teaching, student support, and well-rounded opportunities as we continue to build on the successes at Becker Public Schools.”
Becker also had a special election to replace School Board Member Troy Berning. Renee Regal ran unopposed.
Big Lake Ballot
Big Lake ISD 727 asked two ballot questions. Question 1 asked voters to pass a Revenue Authorization to “increase its general education revenue by $640 per pupil, subject to an annual increase at the rate of inflation.”
Question 2 was dependent on the approval of ballot question 1 and asked voters to authorize the issue of general obligation school building bonds for $36,230,000 for “acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction of a multi-purpose addition.
Superintendent Tim Truebenbach also wrote an editorial for the November 1 edition of the Patriot. In it he stated, “If question one doesn’t pass, Big Lake Schools will have to face budget reductions that will directly impact the student experience.”
After election results were released, Truebenbach released the following statement on Facebook. “We respect the decision of voters,” he said, “This will not change our mission to provide every student in our schools with the best education we can.”
Polling Locations
Superintendent Administrative Assistant and poll worker Angela Oswald said voting at the Becker Community Center was steady throughout the day. In Big Lake, Head Election Judge Tom Hanson also said lines at Saron Lutheran Church had been steady, but added that they had picked up around the dinner hour, taking five to 10 minutes to navigate. However, once voters received their ballots, voting went quickly.
