Many Dakota County voters were asked to consider giving more money to public schools at the polls on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at what voters were asked, what passed and how homeowners will be affected.

Farmington

Farmington Area Public Schools asked voters to consider revoking the district’s existing operating levy of $677 per student and replace it with a new one following a budget reduction for the 2023-24 school year and a projected deficit of $3.5 million for the 2024-25 school year.

The referendum failed Tuesday with nearly 53% of voters against the new operating levy. The district requested $1,239.92 per student for taxes payable in 2024, which would have provided $9 million annually for the first three years, and then an additional $562.95 per student for taxes payable in 2027, which would have provided an additional $4 million annually for the remaining seven years of the new levy, according to the district.

Hastings

Hastings Public Schools asked voters to consider a 10-year capital project levy, also known as the technology levy.

The referendum passed with more than 53% of voters in favor of the levy, which will raise $2 million annually for student and staff devices, reliable internet access, technology infrastructure, software licenses, building and grounds security and cybersecurity.

The new levy will cost homeowners with an average-priced home of $275,000 about $100 annually, or $8 a month, according to the district.

Inver Grove Heights

Question 1 failed with roughly 53% of voters against the proposed operating levy of $410 per student to maintain class sizes, offer K-8 world language and add courses to allow students to explore career opportunities.

Question 2, which was contingent on the first, also failed with 54% of voters against the additional request of $110 per student for safety and mental health support including training for teachers.

If both questions had passed, property taxes would have increased by about $11.67 per month based on the area’s average-priced home of $313,000, according to the district.

Lakeville

The levy posed in Question 1 passed with more than 55% of the vote, which asked voters to increase the general education revenue by $100 per student to staff and operate the district’s new elementary school, Highview Elementary, which is planned to open next fall in order to keep pace with growing enrollment.

The new levy will add $50 annually in property taxes to the district’s average-priced home value of $465,000.

Question 2, which asked for a general education increase of $250 per student to expand K-12 mental health, behavioral and academic support, did not pass with nearly 51% of voters against the increase.

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan

Question 1 passed with 60% of the vote, approving an operating levy increase of $731 per student to maintain class sizes and avoid budget cuts to programming and staff.

The levy will increase property taxes by $12.75 a month for the area’s average-priced house of $350,000, according to district officials.

Question 2, which passed with more than 66% of the vote, asked to renew the district’s existing capital levy. The levy, which was set to expire in 2025, will be used to fund student and staff devices, internet access and fiber connectivity, telecommunications, technology infrastructure, software licenses, training and the salaries of technology staff.

There will be no additional increase to property taxes from Question 2 as the current capital levy adds $75 in taxes to the area’s average-priced house of $350,000.

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