Operating levy fails to pass for Owatonna schools

Owatonna voters have voted down the only question on the Nov. 4 ballot – for an increase in the operating levy for Owatonna Public Schools.

The request to raise the levy by $700 per pupil failed by nearly 1,900 votes, or 61.8% to 38.1%. Nearly 8,000 votes were cast.

The unofficial results came in about 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Had it passed, local homeowners would have seen a hike of about $23 per month on a home valued at $275,000; the school district would have seen an additional $3.7 million annually.

Without the additional funding it will provide, at least $3 million will need to be cut from the 2026-27 budget, district officials have said.

The cuts, they said, would include increased class sizes due to staff layoffs, reductions in school and district support services; and cuts to academic offerings, athletics, activities and music programs.

For reactions from district leaders and a potential path forward, watch for the Nov. 12 edition of the Steele County Times.