SLAYTON — The Murray County Central school district is holding a vote for an operating levy increase, to revoke and replace the current referendum, on Tuesday in a special election.

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 net increase the district’s general education revenue by $685 per pupil. If approved, the levy is set for a 10-year term and will increase at the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2027.

Agricultural land and seasonal recreation property is not taxed on the operating levy. If approved, a homestead valued at $150,000 would see an approximate $14.25 per month increase, and $171 yearly.

MCC has been operating on a levy for years, but the last increase made to it was in 2006 that did not have an inflationary factor attached. There was a vote in 2019 to renew the current levy, at the same rate as the 2006 amount.

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.”

The referendum is used to support staffing, curriculum, transportation and other operating costs. The district did make $400,000 in reductions for the current 2025-26 school year in the areas of instructional positions not being replaced, community education cuts, activity programming reductions, hourly staff reduction and transportation reductions.

Much like other districts, MCC is experiencing budget shortfalls due to state aid not keeping up with inflation.

If the levy increase vote does not pass, MCC noted there will be additional budget cuts in the coming school years, leading to staff reductions, increased class sizes, reductions to school and district support services and more cuts to academic, athletic, activity and music programs.

More MCC levy information can be found at www.mcc.mntm.org/page/2025-operating-levy-information.

Residents of the MCC school district can vote at the Slayton Senior Center at 2451 Broadway Ave. in Slayton on Tuesday. Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.