Dozens of school districts across Minnesota turned to voters during the 2025 election, asking for financial support to help fund their local schools. Many districts said they were facing tight budgets, rising costs, and declining student numbers—issues that have become increasingly common across the state.
According to the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), schools are now more reliant on referendums than ever before. The nonprofit group, which tracks referendum data statewide, reported that 70 school districts placed a total of 96 funding questions on this year’s ballots, seeking a combined total of about $1.6 billion in potential levy requests.
In the end, more than 62% of those measures passed, resulting in roughly $1 billion in approved funding, while about $600 million worth of proposals were rejected.
In St. Paul, voters approved a major funding measure for the St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS), giving the district a significant boost. The approved referendum will generate about $37.2 million each year starting in the 2026-27 school year and will continue for the next decade.
Superintendent Stacie Stanley expressed gratitude to the community, saying the support will help the district sustain vital programs that inspire students and strengthen learning experiences.
“This operating levy will help SPPS maintain the arts and music, language and culture, and college and career readiness programs that fuel our students’ excitement for learning and make our schools shine,” she said. Stanley added that while the funding won’t solve every challenge, it lays a strong foundation for future success.
Not all districts were as fortunate. In Alexandria, voters turned down a proposed $3 million capital projects levy that would have supported safety, technology, and facility improvements over the next ten years. Superintendent Rick Sansted said the outcome was disappointing but emphasized the district’s commitment to providing quality education despite financial setbacks.
“While we’re disappointed that the referendum didn’t pass, our commitment to providing a high-quality education remains absolute,” he said.
Sansted explained that the district will begin planning for the 2026-27 budget next month, a process that will likely involve tough decisions. Without the new funding, the administration and school board will need to review their financial situation and consider options to stay on stable footing. That could include delaying maintenance projects or reducing certain expenses.
“We are dedicated to transparency and will provide regular updates to our staff, parents, and community members as we navigate this process,” Sansted added. Across Minnesota, the election results showed how communities continue to play a key role in shaping the future of local education. While some districts will now move forward with new financial support, others must adjust to operating without the help they had hoped for. The MSBA noted that the growing dependence on referendums highlights ongoing funding challenges many schools face as state and federal support often fails to keep up with rising operational costs. For many Minnesotans, these local decisions reflected a broader question about how to sustain quality education amid financial pressures.
Whether celebrating a victory like St. Paul or regrouping after a loss like Alexandria, districts across the state are now preparing for the next chapter in ensuring students receive the education they deserve.
