Voters across Minnesota, including those in Ramsey and Dakota counties, will weigh in on school funding questions on Nov. 3. The ballot features a statewide constitutional amendment as well as local proposals to raise per-pupil revenue or renew and approve capital project levies.
The lone constitutional amendment on this year's ballot asks whether to increase the money flowing to all school districts from the state's permanent school fund, starting July 1. If approved, it would not raise individual income or property taxes. According to Superintendent Stacie Stanley, St. Paul Public Schools would receive roughly $900,000 from the added funding.
Stanley described the fund's history during a district board meeting in June. "The permanent school trust fund has been in existence since 1858," she said, noting it was created when Minnesota became a state to provide long-term support for public education. She said every public school district, charter school and tribal school already receives money from it. The fund has grown from $675 million in 2010 to more than $2.3 billion, she said, but distributions have not kept pace because of an outdated constitutional restriction. "The amendment improves the distribution formula and does not raise taxes," she said. More details are available at sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/constitutional-amendments/.
In the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district, voters will decide on a general education revenue increase of $800 per pupil for 10 years, beginning with taxes payable in 2027. If approved, the amount would rise each year with inflation starting with taxes payable in 2028, unless revoked or reduced by law. District officials say the request follows three years of budget reductions totaling more than $15 million, brought on by financial challenges. A tax calculator for homeowners is available at 622forward.org.
The West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan district is proposing a capital project levy of 4.027% times the district's net tax capacity. It would raise about $4.6 million for taxes payable in 2027 and be authorized for 10 years. The money would go toward safety and security improvements, textbooks and teaching materials, transportation vehicles, facility maintenance, cybersecurity, utility service costs and other needs. The estimated total cost of the projects is around $46 million. Information and a tax calculator can be found at isd197.org/vote2026.
Inver Grove Heights Schools is asking voters to renew a capital project levy at 2.1724% times net tax capacity. The levy would generate about $1.18 million for taxes payable in 2028 and last 10 years. It would pay for textbooks, curriculum materials, musical instruments, classroom furnishings, equipment technology and software. The estimated total cost of the funded projects is $11.84 million.
In southern Dakota County, Randolph Public Schools is seeking approval to raise its general education revenue by $450 per pupil for 10 years. The property tax increase would start with taxes payable in 2027 and grow each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2028.
These measures are only some of the school levies appearing on ballots in Ramsey and Dakota counties this year.
