--- ## title: Capital Project Levy --- ## SCHOOL DISTRICT 197 ## Capital Project Levy ## Approving the Final Ballot Resolution With a positive Review and Comment response received from the Minnesota Department of Education, the Board is asked tonight to approve the final ballot resolution placing the capital project levy before voters on November 3, 2026. ## AUGUST 10, 2026 BOARD MEETING ## WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT ## The Last Required Step Is Done MDE returned a positive Review and Comment. Tonight is the final step before this goes to voters. ## Board ## Finalizes ## MDE ## Review ## District ## Submits ## Board ## Authorizes ## BALLOT 1 OF 4 ## The Proposed Authorization “The school board of Independent School District No. 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 4.027% times the net tax capacity of the school district.” Net tax capacity is the taxable value of property in the district after state classification rates are applied. The rate is fixed by this authorization. This is the first paragraph of the explanatory statement printed on the ballot. ## BALLOT 2 OF 4 ## How the Revenue May Be Used “The additional revenue from the proposed authorization will be used to pay for safety and security improvement; textbooks and teaching materials; school transportation vehicles; school facility maintenance; cybersecurity; utility service costs; and other operating capital purposes permitted by law.” “The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the ## Commissioner of Education.” This is the second paragraph of the explanatory statement printed on the ballot. ## BALLOT 3 OF 4 ## Amount and Term “The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $4,600,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years.” “The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $46,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education.”. This is the third paragraph of the explanatory statement printed on the ballot. ## BALLOT 4 OF 4 ## The Question Voters Answer “Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board by ## Independent School District No. 197 be approved?” Directly beneath the question, every ballot carries the notice required by state law: BY ## VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT LANGUAGE 4 OF 4, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A ## PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. Requested action: approve the ballot resolution as presented. ## TAXPAYER IMPACT ## What It Costs an Average Home The average home value in School District 197 is $400,000. Impact varies with your home's estimated market value. $14 ## Per Month On a $400,000 home. $168 ## Per Year The full-year cost on that same home. Renters pay no direct property tax impact. The proposed amount was reduced from $5 million to $4.6 million after community feedback. Actual impact varies by property. ## CONTEXT Strong Schools. Strong Communities. Strong public schools benefit everyone — not just families with children in our schools. They strengthen neighborhoods, support the local economy, and prepare tomorrow's workforce. In the district's most recent community survey, 91% of respondents said School District 197 is a good value to the community. That is the context for the question voters will decide. ## LEVY USES ## What the Levy Would Fund The ballot authorizes textbooks and teaching materials, plus other operating capital purposes permitted by law — costs the district already carries. ## Textbooks Teaching materials and classroom resources. ## Safety & Security Cameras, secure entrances, door access systems. ## Technology District systems, data protection, and technology staff. ## Utilities Building upkeep and utility costs. ## Transportation & Equipment Equipment and school transportation vehicles. ## CLARITY OF PURPOSE ## What This Is — and Is Not What the levy covers, and what it does not. ##  This Is Not ●New schools, stadiums, or construction ●New or expanded programs ●A replacement for responsible budgeting ●A permanent fix to school funding ## ✅ This Is ●A way to pay existing costs differently ●Relief for the general operating budget ●Fewer and smaller future cuts ●A decision the community makes ## TAX CONTEXT ## Where Our Taxes Stand Today How School District 197 school property taxes compare across the metro today. #40 of 47 ## Metro School Tax Ranking Seventh-lowest total school property taxes among metro districts, on a $400,000 home. ## Lowest ## Among Our Neighbors $1,406 vs. $1,449 to $2,442 in surrounding districts. Source: Pay 26 School Tax Report, AMSD comparison of all 47 metro districts. ## If Voters Approve, and If They Do Not The same district, two different budget paths. ## IF VOTERS DO NOT APPROVE Continued annual budget reductions. ●Continued reliance on one-time tools. ●Continued state advocacy. ●Rebuilding fund balance means deeper cuts. ## IF VOTERS APPROVE Eligible costs move off the general fund. ●Classroom supports protected for the next several years. ●Continued state advocacy. ●Smaller future cuts and steady fund balance progress. Both paths keep the budget balanced. The difference is whether eligible costs are funded through the levy or through continued reductions. ## ALSO ON BALLOT ## Two School Questions in November Voters will see three School Board seats, this capital project levy question, and a statewide constitutional amendment on the Minnesota Permanent School Fund. The Permanent School Fund amendment is a separate, statewide question. It would change how an existing state trust fund distributes money to all Minnesota school districts, and it does not raise state income or property taxes. While passage would help the budget, the amount is relatively small (0.2% increase in revenue). More information on the Permanent School Fund amendment to come. ## LEARN MORE ## How Voters Can Get Information On November 3, voters will see three school board seats, the capital project levy question, and statewide races on the same ballot. The district will share factual information about what the levy funds and what it costs through community information sessions on September 16, September 30, and October 29, the district website, and levy@isd197.org. Early voting opens September 18. Questions from residents are welcome. The district provides information. Voters make the decision. ## SUMMARY ## The Short Version 1 ## The Ask 4.027% of net tax capacity — about $4.6M a year, ~$14/month on a $400,000 home. 2 ## What It Funds Textbooks, safety, cybersecurity, utilities, maintenance, equipment, transportation. 3 ## What It Is Not Not new buildings. Not new programs. Not a replacement for budgeting. 4 ## Why Now $3.2M already cut over two years. Costs still outpace revenue by ~2% a year. 5 ## Tax Context District school property taxes currently lowest among neighbors and ranks 40th of 47 metro districts. 6 ## The Decision The board acts tonight; voters decide November 3, 2026. ## School District 197 — August 10, 2026 Board Meeting ## Questions & Discussion ## School District 197 — August 10, 2026 Board Meeting ## Key Figures to Remember ## ~$4.6M Proposed annual levy authority ~$14/month Estimated impact on $400k home ## What Happens Next Board acts tonight on the ballot resolution Community votes in November 2026 The board's commitment: responsible management today, transparent community engagement throughout, and informed voter choice in November.