School Finance

Ehlers leverages deep market knowledge, decades of direct school district experience, and industry best practices to help our clients achieve their visions and maintain fiscal sustainability.

Proud to Serve Minnesota Schools

For over 70 years, Ehlers has helped Minnesota public schools deliver generational benefits to learning communities through dynamic and collaborative financial advisory services. In fact, over the last five years alone, we’ve advised on approximately 70% of the state’s successful bond referendums, more than triple the number of our nearest competitors. Today, we are truly honored to serve approximately 75% of the state’s public school districts.

We are privileged to serve your district!

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Featured School Finance Services

Debt Planning & Issuance

Whether you’re replacing a roof or planning a new K-12 campus, you can rely on Ehlers to collaborate with you, legal counsel and other public finance professionals to develop and execute the right financing plan.

Debt sizing, structure & timing
Debt marketing
Sale coordination
Closing & funding coordination

Fiscal Planning & Support

Ehlers helps school districts plan for the future, meet statutory requirements, and communicate clearly with the public through comprehensive fiscal consulting and referendum support.

Referendum planning
Levy & tax impact analysis
Consolidation studies
Revenue projections

Modeling Tools & Reporting

Ehlers helps your district clearly and accurately present its financial position using easy-to-use tools that build trust with your Board and community.

Enrollment projection model
Budget forecasting tools
District benchmarking analysis
Truth-in-Taxation presentations

Our Fully Integrated Service Model

Ehlers strives to build strong, long-lasting relationships, working directly with your staff and administration, to drive projects forward in a way that provides maximum value to district students, families, and taxpayers. We assign multiple advisors, consultants and professional teams to each relationship so we can deliver exactly the right solution exactly when needed.

Debt Planning Issuance & Management

Voter-Approved School Building Bonds
LTFM & Other Board-Approved Bonds
Bond Proceeds Investment
Arbitrage Management
Consulting Disclosures
Paying Agent Administration
Refunding & Restructuring
Cash Flow Financing

Investments & Treasury Management

General Funds Investment Management
Banking RFP & Relationship Assessment
Investment Policy Creation & Amendment
Investment & Financial Statement Reporting
Cash Flow Analysis

Fiscal Sustainability Planning & Support

Operating & Capital Project Levy Referendums
Budget Projection Model
Enrollment Projection Model
Benchmarking Comparisons
Consolidation Studies
Revenue Budget Development
Levy Support
Truth-in-Taxation Presentations

Blended Financing Tools For School District Improvements

The District identified a need in the Middle School to provide a safe and…

Operating Referendum For Budget Shortfalls

The District has experienced declining enrollment, putting a strain on the operating budget as…

Capital Project Levy For Budget Shortfalls

The District has experienced declining enrollment, putting a strain on the operating budget as…

School Building Bonds For Capital Needs

The District experienced a failed election in November 2023, in which voters were asked…

Fully Integrated & Fiercely Independent

Our clients and their communities are at the heart of everything we do. We deliver independent municipal advisory services to fulfill all your public finance needs. Not all firms in our industry can say that.

Learn Why

Meet Our School Finance Team

Our team boasts decades of public finance and direct school finance experience to help districts achieve their goals and realize their visions for the future. Meet them!

See the Full Team Explore Careers