Minnesota school levy count highest since 2001

More than a third of school districts in Minnesota are planning to ask their voters for additional money this fall, the highest number since at least 2001.

A spokesman for the Minnesota School Boards Association, Greg Abbott, says 133 districts have said they will have levy elections in conjunction with city or county elections.

However, the number of school levies could still increase. He says there's a Sept. 16 registration deadline for districts planning solo elections.

The number of districts with levy elections will be the highest in 10 years. There were 101 levy elections in 2007 and 188 such elections in 2001.

The Minnesota Education Department reports that as state per-pupil funding has failed to keep up with inflation since 2003, schools have become more reliant on local taxpayers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.