Robbinsdale Area School Board Looks to Renew $25M Operating Levy
The Robbinsdale School Board is moving ahead with plans to renew one of its most significant tax levies this year.
In a 6-1 vote, the board asked school district staff to prepare a resolution renewing the district’s operating referendum.
Due to new state legislation, the school board has a one-time opportunity to renew the tax at its existing rate without asking voters for approval.
This tax levy was originally approved by voters in 2014 and provides approximately $24.8 million to the general fund.
In school board agenda documents, district administrators said the district would experience a “catastrophic loss … in funding” if the voters shot down the levy request.
Revenue from the district’s operating levy funds salaries, benefits, utilities, routine maintenance and other day-to-day education costs.
Robbinsdale School Board Member Kim Holmes said she felt voters should be able to weigh in at the ballot box.
“I recognize we need the money, I really really do,” Holmes said. “I just was hoping that we could show some more — I guess stronger leadership and definitive changes.”
She cast the lone dissenting vote against the proposal.
Other board members disagreed.
The Robbinsdale School Board is moving ahead with plans to renew its operating referendum this year.
“I support this because it is a one-time fix,” said Robbinsdale Board Chair ReNae Bowman. “I would not have supported this had we done an increase. Any sort of increases really need to be brought back to the voters.”
Residents will have the opportunity to speak on the tax during a future public hearing.
“The money is essential to our district and I totally support this motion,” said Robbinsdale Board Member Greta Evans-Becker.
Capital Projects Levy
Meanwhile, voters will decide the fate of the district’s $6.6 million capital projects levy in November.
This levy funds annual and reoccurring technology purchases, as well as school security improvements.
The election is expected to cost the district approximately $51,300.
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