On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, through the referendum, Saint Paul voters will decide whether or not to renew and expand a property tax levy that will provide $39 million in annual operating funding for the Saint Paul Public schools.

In 2006, voters passed the district's referendum which has provided $30 million in funding for critical services for SPPS students. That funding expires at the end of this year.

If the referendum passes, SPPS will continue to provide for students the programs funded by the expiring 2006 referendum levy, for eight more years. It will also accelerate investments in classroom technology to improve student achievement.

The attached document, Referendum At-a-Glance, describes in detail how the referendum funds have been used by the district, and the positive results we've seen.  

How referendum funds will be used

Renewing Current Investments

75 percent of the dollars in the ballot question, $30 million per year, will continue existing funding for:

• Pre-kindergarten, all-day kindergarten, and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
• Increased math and reading staff in elementary schools
• Reduced class sizes for math and science in middle and high schools
• Special Education services that are required, but not fully funded by the state
• Services and support for English Language Learners, who make up 35% of SPPS students

These funds have helped schools to maintain essential programs for students and improve student achievement. This portion of the levy is a very important part of the current budget of every school in the district. These funds are crucial in the Saint Paul Public Schools efforts to maintain current levels of staffing and services.

Technology

25 percent of the dollars in the ballot question, the additional $9 million a year, would increase personalized learning to improve student achievement and better prepare them for higher education and jobs of the future. By empowering teachers with tools to deliver technology-enhanced instruction that engages and motivates learners, more lessons will be customized to the needs and abilities of the student. These dollars will accelerate our investment in classroom technology, teacher and staff professional development in personalized learning, personnel and online resources for teachers and students. These funds are crucial in the Saint Paul Public Schools efforts to prepare students and staff for the future.

If the referendum does not pass

Saint Paul Public Schools will face an immediate budget shortfall of $30 million for the 2013-14 school year. Without the stable funding provided by the referendum, programs that are currently in demand by parents and showing success with students would have to be dramatically reduced and, in some cases, eliminated. The district will likely need to take the following actions:

• Eliminate 364 teaching positions
• Increase class sizes
• Cut pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten, and ECFE programs
• Cut high school math and science teaching positions
• Cut in-school reading and math support for elementary schools