Voters overwhelmingly approve school levies

Levy referendums to fund local schools passed in about 75 percent of the districts that had them on Tuesday’s ballot, Education Minnesota reported.

The state’s largest union of educators said 39 districts sought one or more levies to fund schools. Voters approved at least one levy in 30 of the 39 districts.

According to results posted on the Secretary of State’s website, districts where levies passed included Bemidji, Columbia Heights, Eden Prairie, Elk River, Robbinsdale, St. Anthony-New Brighton, Waconia, Westonka and West St. Paul.

Districts where no levy passed included Nashwauk-Keewatin and New London-Spicer.

In the Centennial district, which includes Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes, voters authorized the district to issue about $50 million in bonds for school facilities. But they rejected a measure that would have raised the levy from $465.48 per pupil to $770.48 per pupil.

Overall, the results “show Minnesotans are willing to step up to the plate and fund their schools. They understand investing in public schools is vital to student success,” said Education Minnesota President Denise Specht.

The number of districts seeking levy increases – 39 – was the smallest since 1996, she noted.

“It’s clear state investments in education over the past two years took some of the burden off local taxpayers,” Specht said. “But there’s still more to do. While we celebrate the results in these districts that passed their levies, there are still many others that did not. This isn’t right. It shouldn’t matter where you live. All districts should have equitable and sustainable funding, and that’s something we need to work on at the state level.”

 

Comments are closed.