Legislature OKs Operating Millage Allowing Districts to Renew School Funding One Time Through a Property Tax Without Asking Voters

(KNSI) — The new education budget signed this spring by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gives local school districts an option to renew school funding one time through a property tax called an operating millage without going to the voters.

Not every district utilizes the funding, including St. Cloud Area Schools, but Sartell St. Stephen does.

KNSI News asked Sartell-St. Stephen Board President Matthew Moerhle if that would have an effect in how the district operates. He says it’s too early to know. Moerhle states, “We’re only a few years into our current operational levy and it’s possible that our board could completely turn over by the time we would need to either renew or go to the voters for the next one. So, without knowing who’s going to be on the board, I can’t have an answer to that.”

The Sartell-St. Stephen School Board had three new members elected in 2022. All ran as part of a group promising transparent leadership following a polarizing equity audit commissioned by the district the year prior. There has been significant turnover in recent years. It is also looking for a new superintendent.

The current operating millage runs until 2030. It presents an interesting potential scenario in the future as the millage was controversial. The measure failed in 2018 during the general election but was brought back up in 2019. With about 8,000 ballots cast, 60% rejected it. The next year, only 5,323 voters weighed in during a special election when it passed.

The measure could potentially be in effect without voter input until 2040.

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