School district seeks $50M in special election

School district seeks $50M in special election
By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | March 2026

Special School District 6 is asking voters to approve a bond referendum this spring to cover $50 million in deferred maintenance projects in buildings across the district. A special election will be held Tuesday, May 12, with voting at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 3rd Ave. N. Also on the ballot is a question asking voters to renew the district’s capital projects levy that supports annual upgrades for things such as security, technology and administration. Approving the levy now refrains the district from holding another election in 2029.

A 2022 comprehensive facilities review revealed that several district buildings are in need of major roof and exterior repairs, safety and ADA compliance improvements, and mechanical, plumbing and electrical system improvements.

Top needs are at the District Service Center, which was built in 1920; South St. Paul Secondary, built in 1921; Lincoln Center Elementary, built in 1950; Kaposia Education Center, built in 1993; and Central Square, built in 1963. Two years ago, a task force comprising district staff and residents helped prioritize the most critical needs. It should be noted that the district already receives $1 million in state funding each year for general facility maintenance.

The district hasn’t asked voters to approve a new building bond referendum for 12 years. However, an operating referendum was approved in 2022, increasing property taxes $444 annually on a median valued home. If the bond referendum passes, the owner of a median valued home of $300,000 will pay an additional $139 annually in property taxes for 20 years. The money will be used for only the most critical needs in the district, such as roof repairs. It won’t cover all deferred facility needs, which total $150 million.

“Despite our aging infrastructure, our most immediate needs [in 2022] were related to the operating referendum,” said district superintendent Brian Zambreno. “Had we not done that, we would have had to cut over $2 million in staffing…in four schools and it would have had a profound impact on student achievement…. I am happy to report that we have made significant gains in student achievement and expanded programming as the result of that operating levy, so we are working hard – and always will – to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.” He noted that reading scores in the district have soared over the statewide average.

Information sessions to learn more and provide feedback will be planned in the coming weeks. For more information, visit sspps.org/newsroom/elections/bond-levy-2026.

“I hope that our community can see that we are a small but mighty district on the rise,” said Zambreno. “The support we got in 2022 has allowed us to raise achievement at a time when almost no other districts are…. Our plan is to deliver in a similar manner with this [building bond] referendum by improving the health, safety and security of our buildings while also making sure we improve learning experiences of our students. If the referendum is successful, we will immediately begin to engage our community in how best to leverage the funds, as they belong to the community.”