2025 Referendum

Operating levies provide essential funding for the district's day-to-day operational expenses, including classroom supplies, instruction, staffing, utilities, transportation and other school operating costs.

Operating levies must be approved by voters. This enables communities to allocate additional funding for their local school district according to their specific funding priorities.

Along with the $50 million gap in state funding due to increased educational needs and rising costs for the past 20 years, there are several other factors impacting the district’s decision to seek a new levy:

• Uncertain Federal Education Funding: The federal government has threatened to cut millions of dollars that fund essential student programs.
• Ongoing Budget Reductions: The district faces at least $37 million in cuts next year and every year going forward, potentially resulting in significant reductions to staffing and school programs across the district.
• Maintaining Quality: SPPS requires funding to preserve the wide range of academic programs our students count on every day, such as arts and music, language and culture, and college and career readiness.
• Continuing Support: Additional funding will also help SPPS retain high-quality teachers and support staff who help ensure academic success and meet students' evolving needs.

State funding for public schools has not kept pace with increased educational needs and costs for the past 20 years. This has created a funding gap for SPPS exceeding $50 million per year.

If the formula used to allocate state funding matched the rate of inflation each year since 2003, the district's 2026 allocation per pupil would be $8,951. The difference between state funding for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY26) and the amount if the funding formula was adjusted for inflation is $1,470 per pupil, which equals a gap of $50 million overall.

If voters approve the levy, the funding would help:

• Provide greater financial stability for SPPS students and avoid millions of dollars in budget cuts.
• Maintain a wide range of academic programs, such as arts and music, language and culture, and college and career readiness.
• Retain high-quality teachers and support staff who help ensure student success.
• Retain important services that families and students value, such as transportation, security and additional academic supports.
• Provide some flexibility for emerging needs and educational best practices.

SPPS will face continued multimillion-dollar budget cuts, likely resulting in:

• At least $37 million in cuts to staffing and programs across the district for school year 2026-27, with more in future years, to maintain a balanced budget.
• Significant budget reductions or elimination of programs and staffing that make our schools strong.
• Reduction in services that families and students value, such as transportation, security and additional academic supports.

SPPS is the second-largest school district in Minnesota, but has one of the lowest voter-approved operating levies compared to the state's largest districts and SPPS neighbors. If SPPS received the same amount per pupil as the average of the districts in the chart below, our district would have an additional $1,073 per pupil or $37.2 million more per year. If voters approve an increase to the levy, SPPS will still have a lower levy than most other districts in the metro area.

The levy funding request would increase the school district’s operating levy by $1,073 per student per year for 10 years, with annual inflation adjustments. If approved by voters, this would generate approximately $37.2 million per year in additional revenue for the district.

A tax levy would only affect St. Paul residents who own property. Renters may not be directly affected by a property tax levy, although landlords may choose to raise rents in response to a levy tax.

Residents can calculate their tax impact here. The estimated additional property tax for the median-valued St. Paul home, at $289,200, is approximately $26 per month or $309 per year.

This levy will be in addition to the current school district property taxes.

Taken together, the proposed tax increases from the city, county and the district’s levy for a median value home equal about $50 per month. For every dollar in taxes, 35 cents goes to the county, 33 cents to the city, 23 cents to the school district, and 9 cents to other taxing authorities.

Homeowners may be eligible for a property tax refund from the Minnesota Department of Revenue in 2026. There are two types of refunds. Find more information and how to apply for a refund on the Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund website.