Saint Paul board directs staff to prepare referendum proposal for Nov. 4 ballot

The Saint Paul Board of Education on Tuesday voted unanimously to direct district staff to prepare a recommendation and proposed ballot language for a voter-approved referendum to appear on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.

The resolution instructs administration to return to the board with a formal recommendation and draft ballot language at the July 15 board meeting. Chair Sherry Henderson said the step grew from months of discussion about the district’s finances and the need to explore all options for generating local revenue.

The board’s resolution cites a projected operating shortfall and longer-term funding gap. Superintendent Stacy Stanley read the resolution to the board, noting that state funding has not kept pace with inflation and that the district is projecting a $51,100,000 shortfall for the 2026 school year. “In the absence of additional revenue, there will be a need to make additional budget reductions in future years to maintain a structurally balanced budget,” the resolution says.

Why it matters: The district’s fiscal plan earlier in the meeting showed administrators expecting to draw down $34.9 million from reserves for FY26 and still face significant reductions without new revenue. Board members emphasized that a referendum is not a decision to levy taxes immediately but a step to give voters a clear choice about locally funded options to support schools.

What the board will consider next: Chief Turner and other staff said the administration will present results from a community survey on referendum type and voter tolerance before crafting ballot language. Staff told the board they expect to present community-survey results at the Committee of the Board meeting on June 17 and the formal referendum recommendation on July 15 so the board can meet statutory filing deadlines with Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Education.

Board reaction and vote: Director Carrillo, Director Franco, Director Valiant, Chair Henderson, Director Ward, Director Vu and Director Allen all voted yes; the motion passed unanimously. Directors discussed the need to be transparent with voters about how any new levy dollars would be used and to show evidence that additional revenue would translate into measurable change for students.

Next steps: Administration will return with survey results and a draft ballot question in July, with the intent to file required paperwork in August if the board approves the recommendation.