Frequently Asked Questions

Who is behind the campaign?

The Saint Paul School Board voted to put the referendum language on the ballot. This campaign, Yes for SPPS, is community-driven by families, teachers, residents, and local businesses across our city. Our campaign manager, Teresa Mozur, is a proud Saint Paul public school parent. Our campaign chair, Quentin Wathun-Ocama, is a proud Saint Paul public school teacher and parent. This referendum campaign is fueled by people who live in Saint Paul and want our schools in the best position to provide quality education for students. 

Why do we need to raise the school levy?

The short answer: To prevent devastating short-term cuts in SPPS.

The long answer: School funding is complicated. Let’s break it down:

Saint Paul Public Schools gets money from three sources: local (property taxes), state (income and sales taxes), and federal funding. 

Historically, the federal government contributes 8-10% of a district's funding. Right now, our schools cannot rely on the federal government to provide the same level of funding as in the past. In fact, the current administration has increased pressure on states to fill a funding void.

The state of Minnesota provides the majority of school district funding through direct aid tied to a complicated formula.  Over twenty years ago, the Tim Pawlenty administration gutted the public education funding mechanism put in place during the 1971 Minnesota Miracle. Governor Pawlenty ended the statewide general levy, forcing local communities across Minnesota to make up the difference through local property taxes.

Over time, this left a massive gap between historical spending levels and spending going forward. The state legislature attempted to address this in 2023, tying education funding to inflation. Unfortunately, that gap hasn’t closed and the reality is that the costs of running our schools have continued to rise.

Property taxes meet the remainder of student needs but amounts vary with property values, population size, and local demographic. As the home to our state government and many tax exempt universities, hospitals, religious institutions and non-profits, Saint Paul is missing out on tax revenue and the overall property tax pool is smaller.

Meanwhile, costs of running our schools have gone up without new sources of revenue and running our school system costs a lot of money! This referendum is by no means a long-term solution, but if it passes it will stabilize current finances and prevent devastating cuts in the short term.

Saint Paul residents have always shown up for students in past levy votes and all of that has helped make SPPS the high quality district today. But we need to vote YES this November to close the current gap. 

How much will it cost?

The proposed referendum would increase the current operating levy of $1,073 per student, per year. If approved by voters, this would generate approximately $37.2 million per year in additional revenue for the district, and extend for 10 years with annual inflation adjustments.

The estimated additional property tax for a St. Paul home valued at $289,200 would be approximately $26 per month or $309 per year.

This is the reality of how schools are funded right now. We know it’s a significant investment, particularly for working and middle class families. But it’s one worth making so that every student has continued access to quality education and opportunities so our city can thrive.

How will the money be used?

If this referendum passes, our schools will be able to maintain the programs and services that distinguish our school district. Our district will be in the best position to retain educators and provide consistent access to opportunities for students. In a time of great uncertainty, just a few years after COVID disruptions to learning, it is so important to stabilize and strengthen our schools.

If the referendum does not pass, the opposite will occur. Without additional revenue, Saint Paul Public Schools will face a $37 million deficit in the upcoming budget. That would lead to significant cuts in programs and services, impacting Saint Paul youth, families, and communities in every corner of our city. 

Ultimately, this is a lifeline. We will need additional action by the state to make sure schools are sustainably fully-funded in the long run. 

Where does money currently go? Why do we need more?

With roughly 74 buildings to maintain and ~34,000 students to support their educational goals, the school district has a yearly budget of $1 billion. Our school district has made sure employees—teachers, janitors, administrators—receive adequate cost of living adjustments in the salary schedules to make sure they have livable wages.

Similar to other organizations, businesses and households, operating costs increase every year. This puts the school districts in a bind without new sources of revenue.

So what comes next, after the referendum?

The School Board and administrators will be assessing current realities to develop a strategic plan to improve student academic performance and belonging while carefully stewarding community resources.

The community behind this campaign is committed to continued advocacy at the state and federal levels. Together, we need to tell the story why fully funded public schools are so necessary for our schools and how important it is to do so without putting the burden on home owners in our city.

I’m all in! How can I help?