Minnesota Voters to Consider School Levies November 3
State residents will decide on a constitutional amendment and local district funding measures this election.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you support increasing local school funding through new property tax levies in your district?
Minnesota voters will weigh in on a state constitutional amendment and various local school district levy proposals on November 3. These ballot measures aim to address capital project needs and adjust revenue distributions for districts across the state.
Why it matters
The proposed measures seek to stabilize school district budgets and fund essential facility improvements, technology upgrades, and safety initiatives. If approved, these changes would shift how local districts collect tax revenue and distribute state school trust funds.
The Minnesota permanent school fund has grown to over $2.3 billion, and the proposed constitutional amendment would provide approximately $900,000 to St. Paul Public Schools. Local levies include a $4.6 million request in West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan.
The players
St. Paul Public Schools
This district is the largest in Minnesota and stands to receive increased funding from the proposed amendment.
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District
This educational entity is seeking financial relief after experiencing significant multi-year budget cuts.
West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District
This district is currently proposing a capital levy to address safety and facility infrastructure requirements.
Inver Grove Heights School District
This school system is seeking a renewal of its existing capital project levy for a 10-year period.
The details
Districts like North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale are proposing levies to counteract previous budget reductions of over $15 million. Meanwhile, the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan and Inver Grove Heights districts have proposed capital project levies based on net tax capacity to fund facility maintenance.
Timeline
1858: The permanent school trust fund was established.
2010: The permanent school fund assets reached $675 million.
November 3, 2026: Voters decide on the statewide amendment and local levies.
2027: The first year for the new tax levies to be payable.
July 1, 2027: The start date for increased constitutional amendment funding.
Culture Shift
These ballot initiatives reflect a broader movement toward localizing educational funding through net tax capacity levies. This trend aligns with the ongoing structural evolution of the state's permanent school trust fund, which has expanded significantly since its 1858 inception.
Voters will see specific levy rates on their ballots that could directly influence their local property taxes starting in 2027. Households in participating districts should review how these capital project measures might change their tax burden and school infrastructure access.
The takeaway
Voters should carefully examine the local district proposals alongside the statewide amendment to understand the long-term impact on school funding. Reviewing sample ballots ahead of time can help residents prepare for the specific financial measures appearing on the November 3 ballot.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming measures on our Secondary Education page.
More information
View official Minnesota constitutional amendment information for details on the upcoming ballot.
Live Poll
Do you support increasing local school funding through new property tax levies in your district?
