Most MN school levies pass; MSBA says 62% of 96 questions approved, ~$1B okayed statewide
Minnesota voters approved 60 of 96 school referendum questions (just over 62%) across roughly 70 districts in the 2025 election, the Minnesota School Boards Association said, OKaying about $1 billion of the roughly $1.6 billion districts sought. MSBA cautioned results are unofficial until certified; local outcomes include St. Paul Public Schools’ levy, confirmed to generate about $37.2 million annually for 10 years, and high pass rates in many rural districts as districts contend with inflation and the 10‑year referendum limit.
This story is compiled from 3 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.
📌 Key Facts
- The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) reported 96 school referendum questions statewide in 2025; 60 passed (about 62.5%) across 70 districts — results are unofficial until certified.
- Districts sought roughly $1.6 billion in combined referendum funding; voters approved about $1 billion and rejected the remainder.
- Many of the successful measures were renewals; MSBA’s Kirk Schneidawind cited the 10‑year limit on referendum funding and inflation-driven cost increases in transportation, labor and health insurance as key drivers.
- St. Paul Public Schools’ levy passed; one report said it will generate about $37.2 million annually for 10 years, while another reported a $32.7 million figure.
- Rural districts fared particularly well, with about 80% of rural referendums passing — example: Badger Public Schools (enrollment 223) approved a $429 per‑pupil levy increase and $5.3 million for building improvements.
- Education Minnesota President Monica Byron said districts are preparing for uncertainty in federal funding and expressed concern about potential cuts to special education.
- MSBA and news outlets emphasized that the tabulated totals remain unofficial until formal certification.
- Local school board politics saw significant spending and turnover activity in some places — more than $400,000 was spent in Anoka‑Hennepin school board races and three incumbents were re‑elected.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
November 06, 2025
3:44 PM
Voters across Minnesota mostly said yes to school districts’ asks for tax money
New information:
- Exact count: 60 of 96 school referendums passed across 70 districts.
- MSBA’s Kirk Schneidawind attributes many renewals to the 10‑year limit on referendum funding and cites inflation in transportation, labor and health insurance as key cost drivers.
- Education Minnesota President Monica Byron says districts are preparing for uncertainty in federal funding, pointing to concerns about special education cuts.
- Rural districts passed 80% of referendums; Badger Public Schools (enrollment 223) approved a $429 per‑pupil levy increase and $5.3M for building improvements.
- Article states St. Paul approved a $32.7M levy (note: other reporting has cited roughly $37.2M annually).
- Notes over $400,000 in campaign spending in Anoka‑Hennepin’s school board races and that three incumbents were re‑elected.
3:54 AM
Minnesota voters pass majority of school referendum requests in 2025 election
New information:
- MSBA reports 96 ballot questions statewide in 2025, with just over 62% passing.
- Districts sought a combined ~$1.6 billion; voters approved roughly ~$1 billion and rejected about the remainder.
- SPPS confirms its levy passed, generating approximately $37.2 million annually for 10 years, with a statement from Superintendent Stacie Stanley.
- MSBA notes results are unofficial until certified.
November 05, 2025