A political action committee run by St. Paul school board members and Mayor Melvin Carter has hired a consultant to promote passage of a fall referendum that would increase the school tax levy by $18.6 million a year.
Board member Marny Xiong said the group will pay the consultant $5,000 to set up and operate the campaign. They have not yet begun raising money.
Earlier this month, board members Zuki Ellis, Jon Schumacher and Xiong took over the committee that helped pass the school district’s last referendum, in 2012. Carter was an officer on the 2012 committee and will be this year, too.
The pro-referendum committee in 2012 spent $183,498. This year, they’re starting with $14,975, according to records filed with Ramsey County.
The committee, Vote Yes for Strong Schools, was named for then-superintendent Valeria Silva’s strategic plan, Strong Schools Strong Communities. The new officers are keeping the name.
“It’s not a new effort to support the district. It’s ongoing efforts to support the district,” Xiong said.
Joe Gothard, who became superintendent in July 2017, has settled on some long-term goals and focus areas for his own strategic plan but has yet to brand it or discuss specific initiatives.
Gothard agreed in February to explore a referendum as he worked to resolve contract talks with the teachers union.
The 2012 voter-approved levy generates $27.6 million a year for the district, whose general fund is $535 million.
The new referendum would replace that levy with one worth $46.2 million a year for 10 years, with annual adjustments for inflation.
The owners of a $175,000 home would see a $136 increase to their property tax bill, the district has said.
No one has registered a committee opposing the referendum. In 2012, an opposition group reported spending $4,193 to reject the tax, which passed with 61 percent approval.
Greg Copeland, who ran that committee, said he’ll be speaking out against this year’s referendum but isn’t sure he’ll get a committee together.
Copeland said the referendum is irresponsible and comes as St. Paul residents are being asked to pay more in city and county taxes.
He said the district should have persuaded the teachers union to join Q Comp, the teacher compensation program which, if funded by the state, could bring another $6.2 million in annual state funds.
“That’s a huge option that they have left on the table,” he said.