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Schools

Vote on District 622 School Levy Renewal is Tuesday, Here's What You Need to Know

We've got the rundown on School District 622's levy renewal request, and links to help you find more information.

A request to renew District 622’s operating levy appears on ballots Tuesday. Here is some information on the ballot question from the District 622 website and a public hearing:

What is the district asking for?

Voters approved an $833 per pupil operating levy in 2002, and the school district would like to continue getting that money for another 10 years. Minnesota state law limits the duration of school district operating levies to 10 years.

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What’s at stake?

The current levy runs through 2012. That means if the levy fails this year, the district can put it on the ballot again one more time before losing funding. If the levy renewal fails a second time, District 622 would lose about $10 million, or about 9 percent of its annual operating budget.

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How does District 622 compare with other school districts in Minnesota?

District 622 spends $328 less per-pupil than the state average.

Would voting yes cause taxes to increase?

Because this is just a renewal of the current levy, taxes wouldn’t increase, however, they could decrease after 2012 if the levy renewal isn’t passed. For next year, the cost of the levy amounts to about $150 per $100,000 in home value.

What are people saying?

At a public hearing Monday, Oct. 17, at Eagle Point Elementary School supporters said renewing the levy was important for both maintaining quality education and keeping home values up. No one spoke in opposition at the hearing. Check the comments on our article about the public hearing for more thoughts from both opponents and supporters of the levy.

When are the polls open?

From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Where do I vote?

You can look up your polling place on the Secretary of State’s website. Oakdale polling places are:

  • First United Pentecostal Church, 6944 Hudson Blvd.
  • Transfiguration Church, 6133 15th St. N.
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2140 Hadley Ave. N.
  • House of Prayer Church, 6039 40th St. N.
  • Silver Lake Methodist Church, 5399 Geneva Ave. N.
  • Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave. N.
  • Hope Evangelical Free Church, 7910 15th St. N.
  • Guardian Angels Church, 8260 Fourth St.

Where can I get more information?

The school district’s website and the Citizens for 622 website contain more information.

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