Neighbors for Sustainable 281

Student Outcomes Over Buildings

Join the Fight - Yard Signs - Lit Drop

Who Are We?

Neighbors for Sustainable 281 is a group of voting neighbors of ISD 281 who believe now is NOT the time to pursue a building bond referendum.As neighbors provide research-driven analysis on how a potential District ISD 281 Bond Referendum will affect local property owners, businesses, students, and residents within the Robbinsdale Area School District.

Our Cause:

Provide information to voters through our website and Facebook page, ensuring our community is prepared before early voting begins in September 2026 with researched information for fully informed voters for the November 3rd, 2026 primary election ballot.

Why?:

Now is NOT the time to focus on new construction or remodels in a ISD building bond referendum.NOW is the time to pause and Join us in saying NO to a building referendum and NO to more debt in District 281.Focus on~
- Budgets
- Credit Ratings
- Student outcomes
- Trust and transparencyDistrict 281 leadership should invest time addressing the following areas of turmoil:- Enrollment: two decades of steady enrollment decline which has accelerated after the decisions to close numerous schools and end programming including established fine arts curriculum for secondary students.- Budget/Credit Rating: a $21 million dollar ‘accounting error’ and budgeting woes have resulted in the district receiving the lowest possible credit rating of BBB- and being under standard operating debt (SOD) with the State of Minnesota- Capture rate: the district capture rate (families/students who live within District 281 boundaries and choose a district school) sits at approximately 61%- Academic scores: Academic scores continue to decline with secondary top performing academic closed buildings- Safety & security concerns: continued concerning safety & security incidents that have left families, students and staff with emotional and sometimes physical trauma

Letters to the Editor:

Read what District 281 parents and community members say in their own words why now is not the time for a building referendum.