[0:03] - We thrive together asa full St. Paul force [0:06] when it comes to advancing our kids [0:08] and putting their education first. [0:10] When you provide opportunitiesfor our educators [0:13] and you provide safety in classrooms, [0:15] that comes outside of the classrooms. [0:17] That provides for the entire community. [0:20] - [Narrator] Statefunding for public schools [0:22] has not kept pace withinflation for the past 20 years. [0:25] More recently, federal fundinghas also been threatened [0:28] with potential eliminationof millions of dollars [0:31] for essential programs. [0:33] St. Paul Public Schoolsfaces at least $37 million [0:37] in cuts next year andevery year going forward, [0:40] potentially resulting insignificant reductions [0:43] to staffing and schoolprograms across the district, [0:47] affecting 69 schools andmore than 33,000 students. [0:52] - For me, this referendum isincredibly important right now. [0:55] We would be saying [0:56] that the education of our children matter, [0:58] not only to those who canafford private educations [1:01] or specialized programs, [1:02] but a public education is foundational. [1:05] - [Narrator] St. Paul, likemost Minnesota school districts, [1:08] relies on an operating levy [1:10] to fund its educational programs, [1:13] with 21% of the district's funding [1:15] currently coming fromlocal property taxes. [1:18] While SPPS is the second largest [1:20] school district in Minnesota, [1:22] it has one of the lowest operating levies [1:25] compared to neighboring school districts, [1:27] and is well below the average [1:28] for the Twin Cities metro area. [1:31] - This is one way, one step, and one lever [1:34] to developing sustainablefunding practices, [1:37] but it is a step in the right direction [1:39] for greater fiscal responsibility [1:41] and sustainability for the district. [1:43] - [Narrator] On November4th, St. Paul residents [1:45] will be asked to vote on whether or not [1:48] to approve a new school funding request. [1:51] The 2025 operating levyis focused on four goals. [1:55] One, provide greater financial stability [1:57] for St. Paul students, [1:59] and avoid millions ofdollars in budget cuts. [2:01] Two, maintain a broadrange of academic programs [2:05] such as arts and music,language and culture, [2:08] and college and career readiness. [2:10] Three, preserve services thatfamilies and students value, [2:13] such as transportation, security, [2:16] and additional academic supports. [2:18] Four, retain high qualityteachers and support staff [2:22] to ensure student success. [2:24] - I took my favorite science class [2:26] of all time this year, and it was physics, [2:28] and it was probably the hardest [2:30] science class I've ever taken, [2:31] but out of that adversity, I think, [2:33] came extreme personal growth. [2:35] - What's already in jeopardyin a lot of our schools [2:38] are the arts, our music programs, [2:41] opportunities for students to explore [2:44] something beyond the core curriculum. [2:46] Those are the first things that get cut. [2:48] We know that exposure to the arts is [2:52] what can create a spark in a student [2:54] and allow them to shine. [2:56] - If I didn't have musicclass or orchestra, [2:59] I feel like my life would be very bland. [3:03] It wouldn't be as colorfuland vibrant as it is today, [3:06] because music exposesyou to so many things. [3:10] - [Narrator] The estimatedadditional property tax [3:12] for a St. Paul home valued at $289,200 [3:17] is approximately $26 amonth, or $309 per year. [3:22] This levy will be in addition [3:23] to the current schooldistrict property taxes. [3:26] If the levy is approved,there will be a tax increase [3:29] to stabilize the district's budget [3:31] and protect its schoolprograms and staffing. [3:34] If the levy is not approved, [3:36] there will be at least $37million in reduced funding [3:40] for programs and staffevery year moving forward. [3:43] - We know that we arepreparing our students [3:46] to go out into our communities [3:48] and to use all of the skillsthat they've developed [3:50] to really help make ourcommunity a stronger space, [3:53] and so without thosewell-rounded experiences, [3:57] it just takes away our students' ability [4:00] to go out into our communities, [4:03] to pursue their dreams,and to change the world. [4:07] Please learn all you canabout the upcoming referendum. [4:11] You can learn more at ourwebsite at spps.org/vote, [4:16] and remember to vote onor before November 4th.