2023 Referendum

Supportive Community, Great Schools, Brilliant Students

The St. Anthony - New Brighton School District will ask residents to consider two referendum questions in the November 7, 2023 election that are focused on our commitment to continue providing rigorous and relevant instruction for our students.

Question 1 proposes to increase the district’s Operating Levy by $890 per pupil.

Question 2 proposes to renew the district’s existing Capital Projects Levy.

If neither question is approved, our district will be in a deficit. We would be at risk of increasing class sizes, cutting academic and social-emotional learning programming and eliminating staff and teacher positions.

Learn more about the two questions

How would THEse levies benefit students?

Operating levies are an important funding source for many school districts in Minnesota. Since it was approved by voters in 2014, our operating levy has allowed the district to fund academic programming and provide a bright future for our students. The capital projects levy has improved technology infrastructure and updated curriculum creating a modern and future-focused learning environment.

After hearing from families, students, staff and community members, we worked together to focus on four key areas of improvement for our school district:

What is the cost?

St. Anthony - New Brighton Schools is proud to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and is committed to using funds to directly benefit our students and community. If Question 1 is approved, an average St. Anthony home valued at $375,000 would see a property tax increase of $36 per month (financials provided by Hennepin and Ramsey County and prepared by Baird Finance).

Question 2, if approved, would not result in an additional tax impact. This levy was approved in 2014 and would simply be renewed.

Average monthly property tax increase for question 1

Calculate your tax impact

Quick Answers

What happens if neither question is approved?

If Question 1 is not approved, our district will continue to operate with our existing operating levy. However, without additional funding, we will face increased class sizes and risk cutting academic and social-emotional learning programming.

School boards in Minnesota are now able to approve the renewal of an operating levy once without voter approval, and the board would take action to continue current funding to prevent the levy from expiring.

If Question 2 is not approved, the school district’s existing capital project levy would expire in 2024. The district would not be able to maintain or expand current technology initiatives or curricular resources. Additionally, technology and classroom infrastructure would risk becoming outdated or ineffective, leaving our students and staff without appropriate resources for learning.

What happens if only one question is passed?

If either of these questions are not approved by voters, the district risks having to increase class sizes and cut academic and social-emotional learning programming.

While Question 1 does have a tax impact, the funding from the additional operating levy is needed to support existing staff salaries who support student learning.
If only Question 2 passes, the district will have funding to support the tools–such as books, classroom materials, technology–for learning but fewer staff to implement those tools to support students in their learning.

What is the impact to our district from the recent investment from the Minnesota state government to fund schools?

This recent investment in our schools will provide partial financial support for the district, but the amount needed to fund our schools is much higher than what was provided by the state.

Due to nearly two decades of underfunding, St. Anthony - New Brighton Schools has had to account for nearly $1.7M, a direct impact from the rise of inflation.

Sen. Mary Kunesh and Rep. Cheryl Youakim, the chairs of the Senate and House Education Finance Committees, have noted that “while the Omnibus Education Bill provides a historic funding increase for education, it could not make up for 20 years of underinvestment in one biennium" – quoted from the Star Tribune “Minnesota Democrats Education Bills Offer More Money for Schools, Set New Graduation Requirements.”

To continue our commitment to providing support to our students with personalized learning through small class sizes, future-focused programming and social-emotional support, the district is asking for voters to consider an increased levy that would impact our students. Question 1 would provide additional funding for the district by increasing operating levy funds by an additional $890 per student.

Does this levy include the building of the community wellness center?

No, neither question addresses the building of the community wellness center.

In March 2023, the district reached out to local legislators asking for specific bonding money to help build a wellness center. This money is specifically tied to building facilities and our district wouldn't proceed without those funds. At this moment, we do not have the funds secured.

During our 2022-2023 input planning sessions with students, staff, families and community members, the discussion of a wellness center was brought up. But it has no connection to the proposed two-question levy on the ballot this fall.

We will continue to communicate about the potential for a wellness center as soon as our legislators get back in session next year.

How to vote

Register to Vote

Voters in the St. Anthony - New Brighton School District can vote beginning Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.

Voters can register to vote now or check if they are already registered for the upcoming election. Registration is also available at the polling place on election day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.