Building Bond and Capital Levy 2026
A Legacy Worth Protecting
For more than a century, South St. Paul Public Schools has been a source of Packer Pride and a cornerstone of our community. As our school buildings age and educational needs evolve, the district has been working with families, staff, and community members to create a thoughtful, long-term plan to care for and maintain our facilities.
On May 12, 2026, South St. Paul Public Schools will ask voters to consider two related ballot questions focused on facility stewardship and long-term financial planning:
- A bond referendum addressing the most critical facility needs, those necessary to keep our schools safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming for students, staff, families, and community members.
- A capital projects levy renewal that would continue to support ongoing safety, security, and technology needs.
These proposals are intentionally limited in scope and designed to work together. While the district has many long-term hopes for its facilities, the bond focuses only on essential repairs and updates, not enhancements or optional improvements, and the levy renewal would continue existing funding. Together, they reflect a responsible approach to maintaining the buildings our community already owns, while being mindful of the community’s financial capacity.
This plan is about needs, not wants.
Special Election Information
When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Where: Dakota County Historical Society (130 - 3rd Avenue North)
For this election only, all voting will take place at the Dakota County Historical Society.
What is the School District asking for?
Question 1: Building Bond Authorization
- Addresses the district’s most critical facility needs as buildings and systems age
- Focuses on safety, accessibility, and essential building systems, not enhancements
- Supports repairs and updates to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and safety systems
- Allows the district to reinvest in existing school buildings as the 2013 bond nears payoff
- Estimated to increase taxes by approximately $12 per month for the average South St. Paul home valued at $300,000 (see tax impact chart below)
Question 2: Capital Projects Levy Renewal
- Renews the district’s existing capital projects levy, which is scheduled to expire in 2029
- Continues funding for safety, security, and technology needs across the district
- Supports items such as security cameras, phone systems, technology infrastructure, and cybersecurity
- Including the renewal in this election helps avoid the cost of holding a separate election in future years
- Maintains the current levy rate, resulting in no tax increase
Estimated Tax Impact Chart
What the 2026 Bond Would do
As the district’s 2013 building bond nears payoff, the 2026 bond proposal would allow South St. Paul Public Schools to address some of its most urgent facility needs, focusing on maintaining safe, reliable learning environments across the district.
Projects would focus on essential building systems and safety needs, including:
- Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems
- Roofing and exterior building repairs, including walls, windows, and doors
- Fire and life safety systems
- Accessibility and ADA improvements
- Lighting, flooring, and interior finishes
- Safety and ADA compliance improvements to athletic and activity spaces, including Ettinger Field bleachers and Roosevelt tennis courts
While this bond would not address all identified facility needs, it would allow the district to make meaningful progress on the most critical priorities.
What the Capital Projects Levy Would Do
The capital projects levy provides ongoing funding for safety, security, and technology needs across South St. Paul Public Schools. Renewing the levy would allow the district to continue maintaining and updating systems that support safe, secure, and well-functioning schools.
Levy funds would continue to support capital needs such as:
- Security cameras and building access systems
- Phone systems and emergency communication tools
- Technology infrastructure that supports safety and operations
- Cybersecurity improvements that protect district systems and data
Renewing the levy would maintain the district’s current approach to funding these essential needs and support long-term planning without increasing the levy rate.
The Reality of Maintaining Aging School Buildings
South St. Paul Public Schools is responsible for maintaining several aging school buildings, many of which are more than 70 to 100 years old. A comprehensive facilities review completed in 2022 identified more than $150 million in deferred maintenance needs across the district.
At the same time, the district receives approximately $1 million annually in state funding for facility maintenance. This funding supports basic repairs and emergencies but is not sufficient to address large-scale or long-term needs. As buildings continue to age, the gap between available funding and actual facility needs continues to grow.
Without reinvestment, deferred maintenance does not go away. It increases the risk of system failures, safety concerns, and more costly emergency repairs over time.
At current funding levels, the district cannot keep pace with the needs of aging facilities.
Our School Buildings
South St. Paul Public Schools operates and maintains multiple school and district facilities built across several decades, including:
- Lincoln Center Elementary (PreK–5), built in 1950
- Kaposia Education Center (PreK–5), built in 1993
- South St. Paul Secondary (grades 6–12), originally built in 1921
- Community Learning Center (grades 10–12), built in 1972
- Central Square, built in 1963
- District Service Center, built in 1920
- Roosevelt Field and Tennis Courts
These facilities serve thousands of students, staff, families, and community members each year and require ongoing investment to remain safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming.
Why Now?
South St. Paul Public Schools last asked voters to approve a building bond in 2013. While many school districts renew facility bonds every five to seven years, SSPPS has gone more than a decade without a major reinvestment in its buildings.
Today, many building systems are at or beyond their expected lifespan. As facilities continue to age, the risk of system failures, safety concerns, and costly emergency repairs increases. Delaying needed maintenance does not make the work go away, it makes it more expensive.
Construction and material costs continue to rise locally and nationally. Addressing critical needs now allows the district to stabilize long-term costs, avoid higher future expenses, and protect the community’s investment in its schools.
As the 2013 bond nears payoff, the district has a unique opportunity to reinvest in essential facility maintenance with a minimal tax impact, rather than allowing deferred maintenance to grow unchecked.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is the 2026 Bond and Capital Projects Levy?
- Why is this bond proposal being asked now?
- What would the bond funds be used for?
- How much will this cost property owners?
- What is the difference between the bond and the capital projects levy?
- Are both ballot questions required to pass?
- How will this affect school facilities long term?
- What happens if the bond does not pass?
- How were the district’s needs determined?