School Board Approves November Referendum

Facing a $51 million deficit this year, and ongoing deficits projected to be over $35 million annually, the St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) Board of Education voted unanimously July 15 to place an operating referendum before voters this fall. 

The measure, which will be on November’s ballot, will be asking St. Paul residents to vote on whether to increase the district’s operating levy by $1,073 per student, per year. If approved, this levy would generate approximately $37.2 million per year, and would extend for 10 years with annual inflation increases. 

SPPS says that, without this funding, they will need to make at least $37 million in budget reductions for the 2026-27 school year, with more cuts in future years, to maintain a balanced budget.

“Our Board did not make this decision lightly. Expenses have gone up not only for our school district, but for St. Paul families,” SPPS Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley said in a statement. “We also know that without more resources, we will not be able to provide our students with the high-quality education and diverse array of opportunities that they deserve.”

Stanley said that, with cuts to both federal and state funding, and an unclear picture of future allocations from either, the district’s only option for additional revenue is to ask the St. Paul community to consider this levy.

“I am not being dramatic when I say that without appropriate resources, we’ll be forced to compromise the very essence of what makes St. Paul Public Schools a district of choice for our students, families and staff alike,” Stanly said in her presentation to the School Board on July 15. “The good news is that our community believes in us.”

Stanley cited survey data conducted by an outside contractor to SPPS which found that, by-and-large, St. Paul voters would support additional taxes to support SPPS.

“Substantial majorities 78%, 77%, and 74%, respectively, would support property tax increases to maintain educational programs, provide for staff and ensure financial stability,” Standley said. “Based on this information, we can confidently and humbly say that our community is ready to invest in their schools and our students.”

During discussion of the potential referendum, SPPS Board member Carlo Franco stressed the importance of working to find a balance between the cost burden of St. Paul residents and providing the district with the funds needed to operate fully. 

“The reality is, we can’t cut our way to better outcomes for our students,” Franco said. “I believe that the power of an additional $37 million plus per year can help us get there, but I know the alternative of that will never help us get there.”

SPPS Board Chair Halla Henderson said she was cautiously optimistic that passing the proposed referendum will move the district in the right direction, but will not solve all of their funding issues.

“It does not solve the tension and the fear that we are also feeling and moving into with our federal dollars,” she said. “We will need to pass this and continue to think about the ways in which we can both better utilize the dollars that we have and advocate and push for as much support from our state partners as we can.”

According to a report in the Monitor, St. Paul Federation of Teachers, the union representing teachers in St. Paul, is supportive of the levy, saying “The levy referendum would provide St. Paul Public Schools with much-needed revenue to stabilize district finances, retain and attract high-quality educators, and preserve essential programs that support student success.”

Currently, SPPS is making up their $51 million deficit in the 2025-26 school year through a combination of cuts and expending over $35 million in their reserve funds. 

SPPS estimates that the average cost to St. Paul homeowners would be about $26 per month, or $309 per year, based on an average home value of $289,200 if the levy is passed. 

Visit spps.org/vote for the latest information.