By Jane McClure

An operating levy for St. Paul Public Schools is on the Nov. 4 ballot, the first such levy sought since 2018.

School district leaders say the increase is needed in the face of rising inflation, state funding that hasn’t kept up and uncertainty about what is happening with program funding at the federal level.

If approved, the $37 million operating levy for schools would add about $307 annually to the property tax bill for a $275,300 median-value home. The actual amount would vary depending on a home’s value.

The levy would add $1,037 revenue per pupil unit. The district has more than 33,000 students.

School district leaders and school groups are campaigning for the levy, including the St. Paul Federation of Educators. School Board Chair Halla Henderson and Federation President Leah VanDassor had an op-ed published in the Minnesota Star Tribune, urging levy support.

St. Paul steps up for its schools, and “we are grateful for that,” they said. “Now we’re asking voters to do it again. Vote yes this fall to protect public education, because our kids are worth it.”

If the levy isn’t approved, the school district would be forced to make $37 million in budget cuts for the 2026–2027 academic year. Cuts could include college and career readiness programs as well as sports, music and the arts programs.

A “vote yes for kids” campaign is advocating for the levy. The city’s two top mayoral candidates, incumbent Melvin Carter and Kaohly Her, have expressed support.

No organized opposition to the levy has emerged. But the proposed operating levy has generated pointed debate on social media. Some homeowners contend that as property taxes increase, they can no longer afford to stay in St. Paul.

Under pressure

School Board members discussed the annual levy and ballot question with City Council and County Board members in September while meeting as the Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee. They and Tom Sager, the school district’s chief of financial services, explained the set of pressures the school district is under:

More than 20 years ago, state officials stepped in to have more of a say in education funding. The Minnesota Department of Education has much more of a say in statewide school funding and supplies calculations for all of the state’s districts to set levies.

But that funding hasn’t kept up with inflation, district officials said. One estimate is that the district would have received an additional $50 million had inflation kept up with the state aid formula.

Along with inflationary increases, the future of the U.S. Department of Education is uncertain. President Trump wants to eliminate the department and spin off or end its various initiatives. That has generated concerns across the nation about potential loss of federal dollars.

St. Paul has a proposed 5.3% property tax levy increase. Ramsey County proposes increasing property taxes 9.75%. The school district’s annual levy for 2026 is set to decrease by 1.98%.

State truth-in-taxation law requires maximum levies to be set by Sept. 30. After that date levies can decrease but not increase.

The levy funds about 20% of the school district’s budget, Sager said.

The district levied $220.8 million in 2025; the proposed 2026 levy is $216.4 million, $4.3 million less. n

Jane McClure is a Twin Cities freelance writer and writes for the Bugle.

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Photo cutline: St. Paul Public Schools video on the district’s upcoming referendum: youtu.be/Tlgx7hw0FmQ.