By Joseph Back

South Washington County Schools set its preliminary property tax levy at $135.7 million for taxes payable in 2027 at its Sept. 24 board meeting. The proposed levy represents an increase of about $1.84 million, or 1.4 percent, from the levy payable in 2026.
The preliminary levy information was presented as part of the School Board’s Sept. 24 administrative report by Director of Business Services Kris Blackburn.
“I would remind everybody that the levy increase does not mean individual taxpayers will see an increase of that exact increase of 1.4 percent,” Blackburn said. “We know that property values affect that and they continue to increase.” The school levy provides about 25 percent of district revenues, with levy lints determined by state law, the school board, or voters, who certify bond elections.
State law requires the School Board to approve a preliminary levy by Sept. 30. The district administration recommended approving the levy at the maximum amount allowed. The proposed levy totals $135,650,307, compared with the current certified levy of $133,814,308. While the overall increase is relatively small, the figures show significant changes among the district’s individual funds and levy categories.
The largest increase is within the general fund. The proposed general fund levy is $92.29 million, up $4.89 million, or 5.3 percent, from $87.39 million.
Much of that increase comes from the long-term facilities levy, which would rise from about $7.19 million to $11.81 million. That represents an increase of approximately $4.63 million, or 39.2 percent. The referendum levy, the largest individual general fund category, would increase 0.8 percent, from $44.58 million to $44.92 million. Local optional revenue would rise 1 percent to approximately $14.56 million.
Several general fund categories would decline. The Other Post-Employment Benefits levy would fall 34.3 percent, from approximately $1.13 million to $841,345. The equity levy would decline 13.4 percent, while the career and technical levy would decrease 8.1 percent.
The community service fund levy is proposed at approximately $3.09 million, an increase of $271,749, or 8.8 percent. School Age Care accounts for about $1.92 million of that total, up 8.7 percent, while Early Childhood Family Education would increase 17.6 percent to $417,006.
Offsetting increases in the general and community service funds is a reduction in debt service. The debt service fund levy would decline from approximately $43.60 million to $40.27 million, a decrease of $3.33 million, or 8.3 percent.
The district’s property valuation figures also increased. Taxable market value rose 2.6 percent to approximately $19.01 billion, while referendum market value increased 3.2% to $19.05 billion. Tax capacity increased 3.5 percent to approximately $220.3 million. The figures were provided by the Minnesota Department of Education as of Sept. 21.
The levy represents a significant source of district funding, providing about 25% of general fund revenue and 30 percent of total district revenue. District officials noted that preliminary levy reports from the Minnesota Department of Education continue to change. Approving the maximum preliminary levy allows the district to incorporate adjustments before the final levy is established. After Sept. 30, the levy may be reduced but cannot be increased.
The school board will hold its Truth in Taxation hearing and approve the final levy in December.
Also from Thursday school board meanwhile, members approved proposed policy edits from the board workshop and also heard from Dr. Megan Hickey, who presented on a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) under information items. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for young athletes, and refers to heart stoppage from interruption of the signal with the brain.
Guided by state statute which stipulates that all districts must have a CERP plan, each school in South Washington County will have a Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT) and at least one automate external defibrillator (AED). Each team will be comprised of individuals with designated roles with a tabletop drill with all team members at the start of the school year and at least one other drill each year organized by the Health Services Coordinator. Drills will involve local EMS if available at set time.
As for the policy edits, they relate to policies 520, 525, 526, 710, 711, 713, 713.1, and 720. The policies range in scope from from student surveys (minor updates), to violence prevention and hazing prohibition (no suggested changes), to extracurricular transportation (updating transport distance) and video recording on school buses (adding employees to the policy). Student activity accounts received no suggested changes, while gate receipts and admissions as well as vending machines were suggested to delete and create procedure.
Last but not least from Thursday, the board moved to approve the Health Partners Insurance Plan for 2027, with all board members present voting in favor.