By Jane McClure

St. Paul voters have approved a school referendum that will provide about $37.2 million per year or an additional $1,073 per student for the next 10 years.

About 65 percent of voters on Nov. 4 supported the referendum. The total reported after the election was 43,178 for the referendum and 23,175 against.

The taxation rate will adjust with inflation. For 2026, for the median value home of $289,200, that home owner will pay an additional $26 per month or $309 per year in property taxes. The levy takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year and budget.

Had the referendum failed, educators and school district leaders warned that deep cuts were destined for programs, along with bigger classes and staff reductions.

The St. Paul Federation of Educators, the Vote Yes for SPPS and other groups campaigned for the referendum. The measure didn’t face organized opposition but it was debated on various social media platforms. Objections came from property owners facing soaring property tax bills next year.

After the referendum’s passage, Superintendent Stacie Stanley issued a statement saying, “This operating levy will help SPPS maintain the arts and music, language and culture, and college and career readiness programs that fuel our students’ excitement for learning and make our schools shine. While this funding will not solve every challenge that comes our way, it will set us up for better outcomes and a brighter future.”

District officials campaigned hard for the referendum. One point they made was that St. Paul Public Schools has had one of the lowest voter-approved operating levy among the state’s larger districts.

The last levy approval came in 2018. That levy provides $18.6 million per year, with an inflation factor, for 10 years. It currently provides $1,167 per student. 

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