West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) Question 1 — Approval of Capital Project Levy Authorization (Dakota County)

What it does

The school board of Independent School District No. 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 4.027% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The additional revenue from the proposed authorization will be used to provide funds for safety and security improvements; textbooks and teaching materials; school transportation vehicles; school facility maintenance; cybersecurity protections; utility service costs; and other operating capital revenue purposes permitted by law. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $4,600,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $46,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board by Independent School District No. 197 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

A YES vote means

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) would adopt a capital project levy of 4.027% of net tax capacity (about $4,600,000 the first year) for ten years, for safety, textbooks, buses, maintenance, cybersecurity and utilities.

A NO vote means

ISD #197 would not adopt this capital project levy.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

School District 197 says the levy would provide about $4.6 million a year for 10 years, starting with taxes payable in 2027. It says the amount was cut from $5 million based on community feedback.

The district estimates the cost at about $14 a month, or about $168 a year, for the owner of a $400,000 home.

Despite its name, the district says the capital project levy would not pay for new schools or major construction. It would cover existing expenses such as teaching materials, safety, utilities and transportation.

The district says it has cut more than $3.2 million over the past two years and would need another $2 million to $4 million in cuts next year without new funding.

Put on the ballot by West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School Board (ISD 197), 2026 (resolution date and vote not found in an online official record).

From official source.

In the news

• 2026 Levy Renewal on the Ballot for ISD 197 · West St. Paul Reader

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Dakota County ballots

• Inver Grove Heights School District (ISD #199) Question 1 — Renewal of Expiring Capital Project Levy

All Dakota County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) Question 1 mean?

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) would adopt a capital project levy of 4.027% of net tax capacity (about $4,600,000 the first year) for ten years, for safety, textbooks, buses, maintenance, cybersecurity and utilities.

What does a NO vote on West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) Question 1 mean?

ISD #197 would not adopt this capital project levy.

How many votes does West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) Question 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District (ISD #197) Question 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.