Sept. 14, 2018
Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is hosting a referendum information session from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11 at the District Administration Building, 360 S. Colborne St., Saint Paul.
To address inadequate state funding, increasing educational costs and continued budget cuts, Saint Paul Public Schools will have a school funding request on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. The request would increase SPPS’s operating levy. Operating levies provide essential funding for classrooms, instruction and other school operating costs.
Like many school districts in Minnesota, funding is not keeping up with the costs of meeting the educational needs of SPPS students. As a result, the District has cut more than $50 million in the past three years - and approved cuts of $17.2 million for the 2018-19 school year. If state funding had kept pace with inflation over the past 15 years, SPPS would have nearly $620 more per student to spend on education programs and staff.
If voters approve the request, SPPS will be able to invest more in schools and student needs at all grade levels, while implementing its community-supported strategic plan to increase student achievement. If the levy increase is not approved by voters, SPPS will face continued multimillion-dollar budget cuts, resulting in cuts to educational programs and staff that work with students.
Additional ways for residents to learn more about the levy request:
- Visit: spps.org/referendum2018
- Call: 651-767-8157
- Email: referendum@spps.org
- Attend an informational meeting: 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11 at the District Administration Building, 360 S. Colborne St., Saint Paul.
