St. Paul Superintendent Stacie Stanley greets students on their way into Bruce Vento Elementary on their first day in a new building on Sept. 2, 2025. The district is asking for an annual $37 million boost through a schools referendum this year. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

St. Paul voters approved a levy to raise their property taxes to pay $37.2 million more annually for St. Paul Public Schools.

The levy is expected to significantly help the district close budget gaps, which it has struggled with over the past two years. Next year, the district anticipates a $37 million deficit — almost the same amount that the levy would provide. The operating levy increase amounts to an extra $1,073 per student.

“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,” said Superintendent Stacie Stanley in a news release. “I want to thank everyone who voted in this election. While this funding will not solve every challenge that comes our way, it will set us up for better outcomes and a brighter future.”

Becky Z. Dernbach is the education reporter for Sahan Journal. Becky graduated from Carleton College in 2008, just in time for the economy to crash. She worked many jobs before going into journalism, including...

Cynthia Tu is the data reporter and news technology specialist at Sahan Journal. She analyzes public datasets, uncovers hidden patterns and trends in numbers, and tells stories with compelling data visualizations....