An Optimistic View: The Future of Northern Minnesota's Education System

Voters in St. Louis County will head to the polls Tuesday for a special election that will determine the fate of the St. Louis County School District. The district will ask area voters to approve a yearly property tax hike. This would increase a resident’s property tax by approximately $250, for home with a value of $150,000. The monies generated, which would be approximately $80 million, would primarily be used for new construction and repairs to the aged district facilities. 

St. Louis County School District is the state’s largest district and encompasses acreage comparable to the State of Connecticut.  There are currently seven schools in the district, located in the communities of Cook, Orr, Babbitt, Tower, Cherry, Cotton, and Albrook. Overall, the district has lost approximately 800 students in the past decade. The area has been plagued with declining enrollment, that couple with the fact that students in the district have transferred to neighboring districts, has left the County district nearly insolvent.  A new course is necessary.

The question is whether this referendum would achieve overall long-term stability. Are new County schools or buildings really the answer? Perhaps, the look of education in northern Minnesota needs to change. Not only is the County district struggling, but area independent school districts are struggling as well. Clearly, our overall educational system is under immense financial pressure and a band aid won’t correct this problem.  If the vote fails, it is critical that the 19 districts bordering the St. Louis County district, work together to revitalize our areas schools.  This is a tremendous opportunity for the area. One that should be viewed with optimism and hope.