Minnesota Faces Widespread School Levy Votes Nov. 4

Minnesotans face a large set of school funding votes on Nov. 4 as roughly 70 districts have placed 96 ballot measures seeking about $1 billion–$1.6 billion for everything from day-to-day operating costs to capital, technology and safety upgrades, with 44 of the asks designated as general operating levies. School leaders say state funding increases have not kept pace with rising costs and new mandates, prompting many districts to return to voters to avoid cuts. In St. Paul, the district is asking for a 10-year, $37.2 million-per-year levy to preserve programs including arts, trades and multilingual offerings; Superintendent Stacie Stanley and a pro-levy committee have campaigned publicly and the district has deployed district-branded yard signs that critics say may cross the line into advocacy and currently lack a disclosed campaign expenditure report. Voters are weighing tradeoffs as levies can add substantial costs for homeowners and districts warn that failure to pass measures will force program or staff cuts. Other districts, including Tacoma, are holding renewal votes that officials say fund significant portions of their budgets and could raise average homeowner bills by dozens of dollars a month if approved.