Voters Guide To St. Michael-Albertville Schools Operating Levy

ST. MICHAEL, MN — October is coming to an end, which means Election Day is just around the corner.

Voters in the St. Michael-Albertville School District are tasked with deciding whether to authorize a $7.9 million annual levy for the next 10 years to help the district stave off a "perfect financial storm" brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The levy would generate about $6.9 million each year from taxpayers, which would allow the district to receive an additional $1 million in state funding, officials have said.

The district lost $7 million in unrealized revenues and extra costs caused by the pandemic, and "future budget projections are bleak" without voters' support, according to officials.

"Low state funding, pandemic-related costs and stabilizing enrollment have wreaked havoc on the district's bottom line," St. Michael-Albertville School District officials wrote in a fact sheet about the proposed levy.

St. Michael-Albertville ranks the lowest in the state for the funding it receives per student, according to the district.

A rejection of the levy could force the district to lay off 60-70 staff members, which would increase class sizes, St. Michael-Albertville officials have said.

The district has laid off about 70 employees since the start of the pandemic. Officials said they would look to rehire most of them if the levy is approved by voters, the Press & News reports.

If the levy is not approved, officials could also eliminate activities at some schools, including art and music programs.

The proposed levy would increase property taxes on a $250,000 home by about $59 per month, or $708 per year, according to the district’s fact sheet.

Here is the question as it will appear on voters’ ballots:

"The board of Independent School District No. 885 (St. Michael-Albertville) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,195 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2022, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.

Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 885 be approved?"

Residents can find more information about the proposed levy here.

How To Vote

Residents can vote early in person at the district office in St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, 11343 50th St. NE, Albertville.

Early voting will be available at the district office from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West. Minnesota has same-day voter registration, which means you can register to vote at your polling place on Election Day.

Mail-in ballots will not count if they are received after Election Day. The suggested deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot was Oct. 19.