By Jennifer Harms, The Globe
October 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
SLAYTON — The Murray County Central School Board will host a community meeting next week to discuss revoking and replacing the district’s current operating levy.
At its July 14 meeting, the board voted unanimously to have a special election Nov. 4 to consider an operating levy increase. The current operating levy is $626 per student.
“State aid isn’t keeping up with inflation. If it had, Murray County Central would receive $1,420 more per student in the per pupil funding formula — a difference of about $1.35 million annually and no additional local levy would be needed,” MCC Superintendent Joe Meyer said.
He said the gap reflects the erosion of state funding over time, as the formula allowance has failed to keep up with inflation and rising costs.
“For our district, this single funding source accounts for half of our total general fund revenue budget. The operating referendum currently contributes just 4% of our entire revenue and even with a proposed 110% increase on the operating referendum, it will not make up for the loss of buying power of half of our revenue,” Meyer said.
The district’s decision to bring forward this request is based on a long-term review of financial projections, public input and a desire to protect opportunities for students.
“Operating levies are locally approved funds that help support school districts operating costs,” Meyer explained. “The majority of Minnesota school districts have voter-approved operating levies because education funding is a shared partnership between the state and federal government and local communities.”
To reduce expenses, the district had to issue non-renewals for teaching and non-teaching staff positions and did not fill vacancies left by retirements and resignations for the 2025-26 school year.
Joe Meyer, MCC Schools Superintendent
Meyer said operating levies help pay for staffing, curriculum, classroom supplies, utilities and bus transportation.
“These are costs that are critical to operating our school and our district,” he said.
Reductions in staff due to budget restraints have already occurred at MCC.
“To reduce expenses, the district had to issue non-renewals for teaching and non-teaching staff positions and did not fill vacancies left by retirements and resignations for the 2025-26 school year,” Meyer said.
The extra duties are spread between staff members to meet the needs.
“Administrators are picking up required duties left by some of these cuts. These actions reflect a commitment to fiscal responsibility while minimizing the impact for students and equated to approximately $400,000 in the budget,” he said.
Meyer anticipates another $250,000-plus in cuts for the 2026-27 school year if voters don’t approve the operating referendum.
“This could result in larger class sizes, fewer courses and extracurricular offerings, and reductions in school and district services. We can’t continue to cut our way to long-term success,” Meyer said.
A community meeting is planned at 6 p.m. Oct. 22, in the high school auditorium to provide information on the operating levy.
“If this levy is approved, the estimated tax impact would be about an additional $171 per year, or $14.25 per month on a home valued at $150,000,” Meyer said. Tax calculators are available on the school’s website for accurate tax impact.
Early voting began Sept. 19 at the MCC District Office in Slayton and absentee ballots are available by application. Polls will be open at the Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 4.