ISD 834 Voters Approve Levy Requests: Unofficial Results

STILLWATER, MN — Voters in Stillwater approved two levy-authorization requests from the Stillwater Area Public Schools district during the Nov. 2 election, according to unofficial results.

Residents backed a new operating levy by a much wider margin than they supported a new capital projects levy for the district.

The first ballot question asked voters to increase the district's operating levy by replacing an expiring levy with one that district officials say would generate $2.7 million annually over the next 10 years.

With all 20 ISD 834 precincts reporting vote totals, unofficial elections results show 9,777 people voted "Yes" to increase the district's the operating levy while 7,542 people voted "No."

The second ballot question asked voters to increase the district's capital projects levy to fund new classroom technology and infrastructure. The new levy would generate about $4.7 million per year over the next 10 years, according to the district.

Unofficial results show 8,923 people voted "Yes" to approve a new capital projects levy while 8,391 people voted "No."

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Officials said they plan to reduce other tax levies payable in 2022 if both levies are passed to offset a portion of the tax increases.

Superintendent Malinda Lansfeldt thanked voters for supporting and trusting the district by approving the new levies.

"The community has placed a tremendous amount of trust in district staff and has clearly shown its commitment to the students of our schools," she said in an update on the district's website. "We are so grateful. Your investment will allow us to maintain quality learning for our students and continue to offer the opportunities our community has come to expect for their kids."

Pete Kelzenberg won a seat on the Stillwater Area Public Schools board during the 2021 election.

His opponent, Donald Hovland, dropped out of the race in September, the Stillwater Gazette reports, but his name was not removed from the ballot.

Kelzenberg will sworn in as a new board member Nov. 18, replacing Christopher Kunze, who served on an interim basis following a member's resignation this summer.

Kelzenberg will hold the seat for a year.

More than 2,000 write-in votes were also cast in the race for the Stillwater Area Public Schools board.

Live Election Day Results

Ballot Question 1 — Operating Levy

• Yes: 9,777 (56.45%)
• No: 7,542 (43.55%)

Ballot Question 2 — Capital Projects Levy

• Yes: 8,923 (51.54%)
• No: 8,391 (48.46%)