At first glance, characterizing the school levies before voters Nov. 5 as “typical” might seem like a big understatement.
Consider: The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district is asking voters to raise local taxes to the $1,900 per-pupil cap set by the state. Even if voters say “yes,” district leaders have tough decisions to make in order to close a budget gap of more than $5 million.
In White Bear Lake, school leaders have put forward a $324 million capital construction levy. The request is the largest in state history and, if approved, would mean district-wide facility upgrades.
But wait, says Scott Croonquist, executive director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, we’ve been here before.
If the Burnsville tax increase passes, it will join several other metro districts that are at or near the local property tax cap. The limit is revised with inflation, so it will likely increase again soon.
And White Bear Lake’s request breaks a record set earlier this year by the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district. That $275 million levy broke a $249 million record set by Anoka-Hennepin schools in 2017.
“I don’t think it is an abnormal year,” said Croonquist, who notes district tax requests are focused on money for operations, technology and infrastructure. State resources for those priorities are limited.
“In essence, we have a system where there is no other place for school districts to turn than to local voters,” Croonquist said.
He notes the state’s per-pupil base funding formula hasn’t kept pace with inflationary costs. State funding has grown significantly in the past five years, but much of those additional resources are dedicated to new programs like preschool or full-day kindergarten.
Tax requests from local schools have gotten strong support from voters in the past few election cycles. Local leaders are hopeful that backing will continue.
Croonquist notes that nearly every Minnesota school district has at least one operating levy on the books.
“Voters who have a referendum this fall shouldn’t think it is just their district that is asking for money,” Croonquist said. “Every district in the state is just as in need. It’s just the way we fund education — a state and local partnership.”
Here’s a closer look at the districts on the ballot this November:
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage: District leaders are asking voters to replace two existing levies with one that will raise $1.7 million more a year. Doing so would bring the district to the current $1,900 per-pupil local levy cap.
Even if the request is approved, school board members will be making hard choices about district finances in the coming months. Burnsville is seeing a decline in student enrollment and needs to right-size its staff and services.
In mid-November, the board will begin deciding whether to close and consolidate schools to save money. Leaders are also working to improve efficiency and find new sources of revenue.
“This levy is one of a handful of things we are doing to put ourselves on solid ground moving forward,” said Aaron Tinklenberg, district spokesman.
White Bear Lake: Residents are being asked to support a $324 million capital levy that would fund infrastructure improvements across the district, including a new elementary school and extensive high school upgrades. If approved, the projects would be completed by 2024 and paid for over the next 24 years.
“Obviously, it is a large number,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “To just focus on the number is not the best way to look at it. It is a comprehensive plan that touches on every one of our buildings.”
The decision to create a high school on the campus of the existing building for ninth- and 10th- graders has been questioned by some in the community. Mary Pollard, who grew up in the community, worries the site is too small and will be congested.
“For the money they are going to spend, I just don’t think people are going to get what they want,” Pollard said.
Kazmierczak said the site is big enough to accommodate the new school and the state Department of Education has approved the district’s plans. He added that district leaders are saving money by using existing space and have plans to address traffic and other concerns.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan: District leaders are asking voters to replace an existing operating levy with one that will raise $19 million more a year.
Doing so will close an $18 million gap in what district leaders want to spend and the revenue they receive. The new money will also pay for better mental health support and to undo some previous budget cuts.
Without new money, the district would likely cut staff, increase class sizes, scale back student support and reduce busing to the state minimum.
Mounds View: Voters are being asked to consolidate two operating levies into one that will raise $12 million more a year. If voters turn down the request, a levy now generating $7 million a year for the district will expire.
District leaders are calling the levy proposal “Done for the Decade,” saying the combined 10-year levy will put them on strong financial footing until 2029.
Lakeville: The district has two levies before voters, an operating request and a capital levy. The capital levy is contingent on the passage of the operating levy.
Voters are asked to increase an existing operating levy to raise $4.3 million more a year. The capital levy would raise $43 million for improved athletic facilities, technology and safety upgrades.
Spring Lake Park: District leaders are asking voters to renew two existing levies, one for operations and one for technology and security. The operating levy provides $1.28 million annually and the capital levy $1.33 million a year.