Forty Minnesota school districts hold levy referendums in November election

Last year, an off-year for state and federal elections with much lower turnout, 130 schools sought levy increases.

Sept. 24, 2012

Voters in 40 school districts around the state will see levy questions on the ballot Nov. 6, as school officials seek more money.

The biggest is in St. Paul: KARE-TV reports that the more than $30 million in additional money the district seeks “will continue to fund pre- and all-day kindergarten and special education, keep math and science class sizes down, and help with new technology.”

If the levy fails in St. Paul, the school board plans to raise taxes an equal amount, the Star Tribune says, but overall revenue would fall with the loss of excess levy dollars.

If the levy passes, the school district will not increase taxes beyond the money brought in the referendum, the paper said.

The Minnesota School Boards Association has a list of the 40 districts that have levy questions on the ballot. Some are increases, while others are continuations of existing levies.

Last year, when turnout was considerably lower because voters did not have the state-wide and national elections, 130 school districts sought levy increases.