SLAYTON — The Murray County Central School District is pursuing an operating levy increase with a November special election, to revoke and replace its current levy while the district faces budget challenges.

The district is asking Murray County residents to revoke the current referendum revenue of $625.69 per pupil, and replace it with a new authorization of $1,310.69 per pupil, which will increase the district’s general education revenue by $685 per pupil.

“Our motto is we want to try to secure the future and sustain excellence that we feel that MCC schools provide to our students,” MCC superintendent Joe Meyer said. “We also want to try to maintain the offerings that we currently have, and try to maintain our excellent staff that we have.”

MCC has been on an operating levy for years, but the last time there was a vote to increase the funds was in 2006 that did not have an inflationary factor attached, with votes in 2010 and 2019 to renew the current levy.

According to MCC’s referendum informational website, “In 2019, patrons approved a renewal of the current operating levy with no increase to taxes. At that time, the Board recognized no need to increase due to the financial status at that time. This new operating levy would revoke and replace the 2019 voter approved levy.”

Detailed by Ehlers Public Finance Advisors, MCC’s financial partner, the MCC levy in place is one the the lowest in the area, ranking 87th lowest of 237 schools in Minnesota that are on an operating referendum.

If the increase is approved, the estimated tax impact would be about $14.25 more a month for a homestead valued at $150,000. There is a tax calculator option for residents to see their specific tax impact potential on MCC’s levy website.

Agricultural land is not taxed with operating levies, only the house, garage and once acre is.

The total amount of the new proposed levy is $500,000 per year for a period of 10 years.

Many school districts are currently pursuing an operating referendum, as the state’s general education formula has not kept up with the pace of inflation, along with recent state and federal funding uncertainty.

MCC has cut nearly $400,000 from its budget for the 2025-26 to help offset any deficits.

The cuts specifically came from not filling some retirement and resignation positions, issuing nonrenewals for teaching contracts and community education staff, cuts to hourly staff and transportation reductions.

If the new levy increase does not pass, the district projects an additional $250,000 and more in cuts for the following 2026-27 school year.

“Without additional local funding, deeper cuts including larger class sizes, fewer programs, and additional staff reductions are anticipated,” MCC’s website states.

The referendum is to help the district maintain smaller class sizes, keep teachers and staff, continue with career, technical, and college ready opportunities and continue support for the school’s academic, fine arts, athletics and extra-curricular activities.

The proposal comes after MCC applied to the Minnesota Department of Education to move to a four-day school week in sight of financial challenges, but the district’s application was denied by the state in April.

The special election will take place on Nov. 4 at the Slayton Senior Center. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There is an early voting option, beginning Sept. 19 at the district office. Residents wishing to vote early can do so between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Nov. 3.

The district will hold a pair of community meetings. They will take place on Sept. 17 and Oct. 22 at 6 p.m., and are open to the public seeking additional information and to ask questions.

“I have been impressed with the community support for Murray County Central Schools over the years and all the ways the community encourages our students,” Meyer said in a statement. “This shared approach of district budget cuts combined with an increased operating levy from the community will allow Murray County Central Public Schools to continue its tradition of excellence in preparing students for the future.”