By Ryan Dahnert
Shakopee voters approved both questions on the Shakopee district’s operating levy request during last Tuesday’s special election, providing crucial funding to address a projected $7-9 million budget deficit in the years ahead.
Question One passed with 3,193 “yes” votes to 1,855 “no” votes, while Question Two received 3,115 “yes” votes and 1,925 “no” votes.
The first question will provide $5,000,052 in new annual revenue for the district. School officials described it as tax-neutral because it replaces $5,160,455 in taxes from construction debt that will be paid off in 2025.
Question Two will generate an additional $2,500,026 in annual operating revenue by providing $310 per pupil in operating levy funding beyond Question One. The approval of both questions brings the district to its maximum allowable operating levy.
Background on Budget Challenges
The levy referendum came in response to financial pressures that district officials outlined in detail at a special meeting in June. At that meeting, Superintendent Mike Redmond and Director of Finance and Operations Bill Menozzi warned that the district faced a projected shortfall of $7-9 million for the 2026-27 school year.
District leaders identified two primary factors driving the budget crisis: state funding increases that have not kept pace with inflation, and declining birth rates leading to fewer enrolled students. Redmond noted that had state aid kept pace with inflation over the past four years, the district would be receiving an additional $795 per pupil, or $6.6 million in revenue each year.
“This is not just a Shakopee issue,” Redmond said at the June meeting, pointing to similar budget challenges facing school districts across Minnesota. the 11 districts that Shakopee considers comparable districts are facing average cuts of nearly $9 million for the 2026-2027 school year, while statewide budget deficits across all Minnesota public school districts are estimated at $250-300 million collectively.
Community Support
“The School Board was seeking community direction through a two-question operating levy to address State education funding shortfalls,” said School Board Chair Jeff Smith. “As we’ve shared before, schools are a partnership with the community, and the approval of both questions by voters will allow our district to continue to support each and every student and maintain our staff, programs and services moving forward.”
Levy dollars fund educational programs and day-to-day school operations, including teacher and support staff salaries. With both questions approved, the district says it will continue providing similar service levels moving forward.
Despite the levy approval, Shakopee Public Schools will still implement $3 million in permanent budget cuts for the 2026-27 school year and another $500,000 in cuts for 2027-28.
“We’ve continued to state throughout this process, that we will always do our best to serve Shakopee students and the community,” said Superintendent Mike Redmond. “The financial challenges Shakopee is facing are similar to those affecting many public school districts across Minnesota. We are deeply appreciative of our community’s continued support of our students, staff and schools.”
The School Board will certify the election results at 6:00 p.m. on November 13, 2025, at the District Office Board Room.