ISD 622 says it’s doing more with less as state funding lags

Homeowners in 63 school districts across Minnesota will vote on various money asks this November.

“Over the years we have been doing more with less,” said Andy Beaton, Assistant Superintendent at the North St. Paul – Maplewood – Oakdale Public Schools.

His district, ISD 622, is one of a growing number of districts that say they’re forced to ask for more of your tax dollars through local property taxes because state funding isn’t keeping up with the current cost of living.

“School districts have had to make up that gap by going to their voters for operating levies, and the problem with that is that instead of having that equal per-pupil amount that the state provides, now we have great differences between school districts,” Beaton said. “You really shouldn’t have unequal revenue just based on the zip code you live in.&r...