State
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Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund Amendment: What Would It Mean for SoWashCo Schools?
The Key Takeaway Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund currently provides SoWashCo Schools about $1.4 million per year. A proposed constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 ballot would change how the fund’s annual distributions are calculated. If approved, the state would initially distribute 4.5% of the fund’s average value over the preceding three fiscal years, rather…
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Could an Operating Referendum Be Part of SoWashCo’s Five-Year Plan?
The Key Takeaway SoWashCo Schools has not announced a new operating referendum as of 8/26/26. However, the district’s remaining levy authority makes one a possible component of its five-year financial plan. Available state information suggests voters could authorize approximately $200 to $250 more per adjusted pupil unit, potentially generating about $4.0 million to $5.1 million…
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Operating Levy and Local Optional Revenue – What’s the Difference?
The Key Takeaway SoWashCo Schools already receives the maximum $724 per pupil available through board-authorized Local Optional Revenue. The district also receives approximately $2,098 per pupil through its voter-approved Operating Referendum. Available state data suggests SoWashCo’s Operating Referendum remains approximately $200 to $250 per pupil below the state limit. At the district’s current enrollment, reaching…
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SoWashCo’s State Funding
The Key Takeaway Minnesota does not send school districts one unrestricted payment. State funding is assembled from many formulas. Some revenue follows enrollment and can support general operations, while other revenue is generated for specific students, services, or costs and must be used accordingly. In 2026–27 the district expects to receive $272.3 million in total…
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Decoding The School District Budget – Part 1: Where the Money Comes From
The Key Takeaway SoWashCo’s ongoing revenue comes from three sources: School district budgets can be intimidating. SoWashCo’s proposed 2026–27 budget contains hundreds of line items spread across multiple funds, with total revenue of approximately $443.7 million. Understanding where that money comes from (and what restrictions come with it) is the first step toward understanding the…