Investing in Our Community

Dear Saint Paul Public Schools Community,

I hope that the return to school has been full of joy, connection and learning. Whether you are a staff member or a parent, I am so thankful to have you and your students as part of our SPPS community.

One of my primary focuses as this school year begins is to inform our entire community about the upcoming referendum that will be on St. Paul ballots on November 4. St. Paul residents will be asked whether to increase the district’s operating levy by $1,073 per student, per year. If approved, this levy would generate approximately $37.2 million per year, and would extend for 10 years with annual inflation increases. 

Without this funding, SPPS will need to make at least $37 million in budget reductions for the 2026-27 school year, with more cuts in future years, to maintain a balanced budget. This is where you come in. As a valued member of our SPPS community, your voice is essential to this conversation. What programs, services, classes and activities do you value most? What would it mean to you and your students if those things went away? Those are the conversations I am having every day with everyone I meet. Will you join me, and talk to two or three people about what SPPS means to you?

Watching the video above is a great starting point. In it, you will learn about the four primary goals of this referendum, which are:

• Providing greater financial stability for SPPS students and avoiding millions of dollars in budget cuts
• Maintaining a broad range of academic programs, such as arts and music, language and culture, and college and career readiness
• Preserving services that families and students value, such as transportation and additional academic supports
• Retaining high-quality teachers and support staff who help ensure student success

You will also hear from a few of our educators, students, parents and community leaders about what Saint Paul Public Schools means to them, and why you should learn all you can about this referendum. Early voting starts this Friday, September 19. You can find voting information, polling places and much more on our website at spps.org/vote. 

Thank you for being part of this wonderful community, for sharing your story, and for casting your vote on or before November 4.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent