Referendum 2023

The funds generated from the operating levy would allow the district to not only attract and retain high quality teachers and staff, but also maintain our commitment to low student-teacher ratios and high-quality programming. By maintaining or reducing class sizes, each student will be able to receive individualized support from their teachers as they work towards their future after school. 

The mental wellbeing of our students is key to allowing them to access their full potential. An increased operating levy would enhance the social, emotional and mental health support systems the district can offer for students. We know that for each child, learning starts when basic needs are met. Through our community schools model, we’re able to better serve the whole child — eliminating barriers to learning so that each child can freely pursue their potential.

While the impact of the recent funding for public education from the Minnesota Legislature will provide short-term relief, new unfunded mandates will increase costs for school districts. Increasing the operating levy would provide greater financial stability for the district while limiting future budget reductions in the face of economic uncertainty and additional mandates.

The operating levy provides funding for teaching and learning, daily operation of schools and classrooms, teachers and staff and maintains class sizes. Operating levies cannot be used for major building projects or capital improvements. 

Brooklyn Center Community Schools currently has one operating levy in place which was approved by voters in 2017. If approved, Question 1 will add an additional tax to property owners beginning in 2024 and provide additional funding to the school district. 

• Current operating levy ……….. $258.66 per student
• Proposed operating levy ……… $300 per student

If approved, the new operating levy would be in place for 10 years, expiring during the 2033-2034 school year.

The increased operating levy would allow the district to:

• Maintain or reduce class sizes

• Retain and attract high quality teachers and staff

• Enhance social, emotional and mental health support for students

• Provide greater financial stability and limit future budget reductions

• If approved, homeowners with an estimated market value of $200,000 would pay an annual increase of $122, or an increase of about $10 per month.

• If approved, the average home value in the district of $286,000 would see an annual increase of $175, or an increase of about $15 a month.

• If approved, homeowners with an estimated market value of $350,000 would see an annual increase of $214, or an increase of about $18 a month.

Click here to find the estimated tax impact on your household.

If the district’s proposed operating levy increase is not approved, the district will face some tough decisions. With potential cuts, the BCCS may not be able to maintain current class sizes and have to decrease services and programs to support the social, emotional, and mental health of students. This would cause class sizes to grow and decrease access to mental health services at school.

The district will experience additional budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year which may cause further staffing and programming cuts. These types of reductions will affect the students’ experience in the classroom and access to student programs outside of the school day as the district reduces its operating budget.

While the impact of the recent funding for public education from the Minnesota Legislature will provide short-term relief, new unfunded mandates will increase costs for school districts. The funding provided by the legislature will not cover the costs of the new programs created by the state. The funds generated from the operating levy increase would provide greater financial stability for the district while limiting future budget reductions.

The 2023-24 school year budget projects $34,622,769 in General Fund expenditures. The district expects to receive $34,481,781 in General Fund revenue, resulting in a projected $141,015 decrease to fund balance.

The district experienced extensive budget cuts during the spring of 2023 for the 2023-24 school year ($4.5 million). While the impact of the recent funding for public education from the Minnesota Legislature will provide short-term relief, new unfunded mandates will increase costs for the district. The district also regularly takes actions to operate as efficiently as possible while continuing to meet the changing needs of our community.