Tuesday’s elections results were mixed for Greater Minnesota school districts. Bond elections fared worse than metro school districts, while operating referendums passed at a higher rate than in metro districts.
Bond Elections
Across Greater Minnesota districts, 54 percent of bonds were approved by voters compared to 82 percent of metro bond questions. MSBA reported a statewide average of 62 percent. MREA school districts did not do as well as all Greater Minnesota districts as only 43 percent of member districts questions were approved by the voters.
| Nov 3, 2015 Bond Elections All Types |
Bond Elections | Voters approved at least one question | Percentage Approved |
| Greater Minnesota School Districts |
26 | 14 | 54% |
| 7-County Metro School Districts |
11 | 9 | 82% |
| Statewide All School Districts |
37 | 23 | 62% |
| MREA Member Districts | 14 | 6 | 43% |
A special thanks to MSBA for providing the data. Get the complete results for Bond Elections.
Operating Referendums
In contrast Greater Minnesota school districts had a slightly better approval rate for operating referendums despite running five times as many districts holding operating referendums as compared to metro districts. Greater Minnesota districts voters approved 91 percent of operating referendums as compared to 87 percent of metro districts. Seventeen of the Greater Minnesota districts were running renewals with zero tax impact and 100 percent were approved and 85 percent of Greater Minnesota districts running increases in operating referendum revenue (27) received voter approval.
| Nov 3, 2015 Operating Referendums |
Operating Referendums | Voters approved at least one question | Percentage Approved |
| Greater Minnesota School Districts |
44 | 40 | 91% |
| 7-County Metro School Districts |
8 | 7 | 87% |
| Statewide All School Districts |
52 | 47 | 90% |
| Greater MN Districts Seeking Increases | 27 | 23 | 85% |
A special thanks to MSBA for the data. Get complete results for Operating Levies
Legislative Moves
So that students can have similar education opportunity regardless of zip code, the 2013 and 2014 legislatures significantly increased the equalization of operating referendums. The state share of operating referendums went from 13 percent in 2013 to 21 percent in 2015.
The state has clearly established a partnership with property owners across the state to share in the burden of operating referendums which are an essential part of the school funding picture in Minnesota. The state share, the median and average operating referendum will increase for the benefit of students and their educational opportunities as a result of Tuesday’s election results. These elections affect pay ’16 taxes and the 16-17 school year and beyond for districts.
In contrast the state equalization share of school facility bonds is mired at 2.5 percent. When combined with lower median incomes in Greater Minnesota and greater reliance on high agricultural land values to fund bond elections, Tuesday’s election results are unfortunately predictable.
School districts work hard to inform voters of the choices and opportunities for students with improved or new facilities. But local taxpayers, the majority who do not have children in school and who see no help from beyond the district boundaries to finance facilities, must make hard economic choices.
Learn more about MREA’s response at Facility Fallout and watch for the plans for the 2016 Legislative session.