SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS XPERIENCE
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
LEVY FOR LEARNING 2025
We’ve begun another year of learning in Spring Lake Park Schools. We’re able to bring the SLP experience to life for our students in great part due to years of fiscal responsibility. As a district, we have a long-time commitment to strategically managing our resources while creating programs and educational experiences that make us proud as Panthers.
In this special issue of SLP Experience , we’re sharing updates and insights into our funding realities, our budget approach and our priorities. Our children and their learning needs are at the center of all of our decision-making and planning – today and for the future.
This fall, district voters are being asked to consider an operating levy referendum ballot question to maintain essentials for learning in our schools. It’s been a long time since we asked our community for support. We only ask when we need it.
Being good stewards of our resources is a core capability of Spring Lake Park Schools. This is a point of pride today and our continued commitment for the future. Thank you for taking a few minutes to learn more, and thank you for your ongoing support of our schools and each student we are privileged to serve.
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
Our Current Funding Reality
STATE FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION
State investments over decades have not kept pace with the true cost of education. This spring, the Minnesota legislature passed $420 million of cuts to education in the next funding cycle.*
Once a top state in funding education, Minnesota has slipped to 30th place in per-student education spending.**
Federal funds, while a smaller piece of our budget, provide needed resources for underfunded, required Special Education services, school meals and more. The future of federal funding is unclear.
*Source: AMSD.org (June 12, 2025) Education Finance and Policy Bill Approved in Special Session.
**Source: Gilligan C (2022, August) Which States Invest the Most in their Students? U.S. News & World Report.
EXPENSES ARE RISING
As funding has lagged, our expenses have continued to rise.
OUR OPERATING LEVY IS IN LAST PLACE
Out of 37 Twin Cities metro school districts, Spring Lake Park Schools’ voter-approved operating funding is the lowest. We currently rank last in voter-approved operating dollars.
We’re proud of what we’ve been able to build with much less than others. Our goal is to successfully prepare students for their futures and remain mindful of taxpayer concerns.
We only ask if we need to; we treat our community’s investment in our schools with the utmost respect.
A HISTORY OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
One reason our operating levy is currently so low is thanks to years of careful management and continued growth. Over the last 14 years, we’ve been able to maintain a balanced budget despite underfunding while watching others around us make large cuts.
On the Ballot This Fall
Our Spring Lake Park Schools residents in Blaine, Fridley and Spring Lake Park are being asked to consider an operating levy referendum question on the November 4, 2025 ballot to maintain essentials for learning.
THE QUESTION
The question is designed to minimize taxpayer impact and generate funding when it is needed. It has two steps.
Step 1: Increase the operating levy by $550 per student starting in 2026 with a tax impact of less than $18/month on an average home value of $350,000.
Step 2: Increase the operating levy by an additional $380 starting in 2029 with no net tax impact ($0/month) to taxpayers. The district has timed this to coincide with the expiration of existing debt to avoid additional taxes. This brings the total to $930.
Average home value of $350K
TAX IMPACT: less than $18 per month
IF THE QUESTION IS APPROVED, OPERATING LEVY DOLLARS REMAIN MODEST AND COMPARABLE TO OUR NEIGHBORS
LEARNING IMPACTS
Voter-approved operating dollars will help us:
MAINTAIN:
• Teachers and staff – to keep class sizes low and continue to personalize learning and meet each student’s needs.
• Current academic programs and academic supports – Academic specialists who work one on one with students when they struggle, staff who provide enrichment opportunities and unique programs like Career and College Pathways that help students explore careers and gain real experience.
• Critical safety and security infrastructure and school facilities – secure entrances, cameras, alarms and security systems.
ENHANCE:
• Career and technical preparation –to provide internships, apprenticeships and other hands-on learning.
• College credit offerings – to provide students with more opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school.
