Saint Paul Public Schools referendum would provide $37 million to district through property tax hike

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — For the first time in seven years, the Saint Paul Public Schools are going to voters next week with a request for more funding.

In a referendum set for the ballot on Tuesday, voters will decide whether to hike property taxes to provide more than $37 million to SPPS. District leaders have said that state and federal education funding has not kept pace with rising costs and inflation, putting programs like transportation, arts, music and other extracurriculars at risk.

"The stakes seem really high for families right now," said Teresa Mozur, the campaign manager for the group Yes for Saint Paul Public Schools. "$37 million in cuts would potentially mean cuts to all the things that make our schools great. As I understand it, that means anything the school is not contra