Parent Group Makes Push for Anoka-Hennepin School Referendum

A parent group in the Anoka-Hennepin School District is making a push for a November referendum that would raise new money for schools if approved. For that to happen, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board would have to agree to place the initiative on the November ballot before an Aug. 11 deadline, a district spokesperson told CCX News.

The petition drive was led by a group called Parents for Good. Members say the effort was made to avoid future cuts.

“We recognize the difficult decisions this board has faced,” said Michelle Powers, co-founder of Parents for Good, at the June 22 board meeting. “We know that balancing budgets while meeting the needs of students is not easy. At the same time, after more than $22 million in cuts and the loss of more than 275 positions, many community members believe it is time to give the voters the opportunity to weigh in on the future of school funding.” 

Powers said her group collected more than 3,000 signatures for the petition from voters in the district of “different backgrounds, neighborhoods and perspectives.”

The parent group expected to submit the petition with the district on Thursday.

A district spokesperson issued a statement on the matter this week.

“Anoka-Hennepin appreciates the advocacy of parents and community members as it relates to improving outcomes for students in our schools,” wrote Jim Skelly, spokesperson for the district, in a statement to the media. “The School Board has discussed the topic of offering a referendum election but has not arrived at a decision on this matter. The District and its legal counsel are aware of the petition drive and have advised the advocacy group that operating levies can only be commenced by action of the school board but not voter petition.”  

A Closer Look at Funding Ballot Petition

The last time the Anoka-Hennepin School District had an increase in taxpayer funding approved for schools was the 2017 Fit for the Future initiative. That two-question request paid for new staff and classroom space, including an expansion of Champlin Park High School that improved security and ensured the removal of dozens of portable classrooms.

A 2021 ballot initiative that would have raised $260 per pupil for 10 years failed. However, voters did approve two levy renewal questions that year.

The failed levy request would have been used to maintain mental health and student support positions added with one-time COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.

The funding ballot petition expected to be submitted this week has two questions. The first would add $756.63 per pupil generating more than $30 million per year. The second question would add $275 per pupil providing another $11 million per year. For a $400,000 home, it would result in a roughly $37 monthly tax increase.

According to district officials, the $756.63 per pupil request would be the largest referendum request in the district’s history should it reach the ballot.

Also see: Anoka-Hennepin School District Selects New Superintendent

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