Darn.

For those who did not want this to pass and did not vote have no right to complain. I did not vote yes on this but will support this now that the community has passed it. I still think that the current 500 dollars per student should of been enough for the school to operate on. If not then they do not know how to budget their money like a lot of us have to do making less due to the recession.

Any bets when the district is going to try to get another levy passed since this one was successful?

RE: "We're very excited," said Superintendent Dr. Jim Behle Tuesday night. "Just very pleased to get the support."

47% of us are not pleased and did not give support.

It passed by only 271 votes, that's it. Since the amount was so small, shouldn't there be a recount? I wonder how much was wasted on promoting the levy, through multiple mailings, signs, robo calls, and e-mails.

BKinMN

You take $88/yr and times that by 10 years and you get $880. Where do you grocery shop? Yet another product of public education.
I want to know how many thousands of dollars the tax payer had to spend on the propaganda to get this past!
I want to know how many thansands of dollars the tax payer had to spend on the propoganda to get this past!

The district employees on the support staff have taken a pay freeze for the last 2 years, so get your facts straight.

Perhaps Chris was talking about the entire levy, not just the increase, since that would technically be more than most people's grocery bills. It's way more than ours, and we have a lot of kids to feed. As for employee wages, Jane, are those support staff freezes only or did the administration-level officials take cuts/freezes, too?

I'm pleased the levy passed. The school district is a big reason my husband and I moved out here. My experience with the teachers and the schools have been nothing but wonderful. If you can't afford an extra 10 bucks a month perhaps you should seek the help of a financial planner. As for cutting the salary of a teacher....really?? Volunteer in any class and you will want to give them a raise!!

We have great schools and teachers - and that will continue. Yeah!

I am so pleased this levy passed! This means that our children will continue to get the great education they deserve. I agree with STMA Mom we have wonderful schools out here because most people realize the value of funding education.

I give up! Upside down on my mortgage, can not afford another increase in my mortgage payment, just going to do like most of my neighbors and walk away from the house. Let the rest of the people that voted to increase pay my portion

It costs $10,000 per student to educate a child for one year in Minnesota using government schools. So, let's think about maybe giving parents that $10,000 as a refundable income/property tax credit and let each parent be responsible for educating his own child. It may then come to pass that a few dozen families come together-- let's say that between them they have 100 children-- enough for roughly 5 classrooms. Let say they then rent some top notch space and lease some top notch equiptment at a cost of $250,000 per year ($50k per year per classroom. Then lets say they pay each teacher $150,000 per year (Salary and benefits). Any takers?

Its kinda funny how a lot of the people who voted NO don't have children in the school system anymore. Why would they want to pay more when they are not going to reap the benefits? I bet when their kids were in school and looking at large class sizes and programs getting cut, they were voting YES! Actually "St. Michael Old Timers" just admitted that. Funny.....
I am glad that it passed. I have 2 children currently in STMA schools and one more will be going in a few years. Maybe when they are done, in 20 years, I will be voting no on these issues? But until then I am glad we have such a great school system and only hope it gets better!
People always complain about the schools calling and sending letters when they are looking for more money. I will say that it gets annoying and probably costs money. However I never once got a call or letter opposing the levy! If you really didn't want this to pass, where were you? I never even saw a lawn sign that said vote NO.
It passed, now we have to move on. Just be glad that this tax money is staying in our community and making it stronger!

Gang - hopping in just to clarify something. The INVEST in EXCELLENCE committee paid for the signs, mailings, etc. The school district did send mailings to inform WHY they were asking for the levy, which they can do. They CANNOT rent signs, create lawn signs, etc. under Minnesota campaign laws.

I keep seeing all these comments (in this post and several of the other ones here on the Patch) about all the money the school district paid for the signs, flyers, etc. Just for the record, all the signs and Invest in Excellence flyers/materials were NOT paid for by the district. This was a group of community members who wanted to get accurate information in the hands of each voter so an informed decision could be made. All materials/signage/etc. was paid for by donations. We did not receive a DIME from the school district. I'm a small business owner who realizes the importance of strong schools to both the community and my own kids, and therefore I decided to donate time & services to this effort. It's interesting to me that so many people can spend hours on here complaining, yet no one stepped forward to provide information "setting the record straight" on the so-called "propoganda" that was in the "kool-aid". Time to move on, folks.

Great news for STMA schools! I work in a district where we have not been able to pass a levy and we are feeling the crunch. 5 years ago I had classes of 26-28 students and today I have classes of 36-40 students. Both students and teachers are paying the price in this situation. I do not think we want this to happen in our community!

Just want to comment that I don't think the schools are sitting half empty or at half capacity. The schools were built because of the population growth, which the city allowed to happen.

I voted YES and I am glad that it passed. I am a hardcore fiscal conservative and have been one for years and I am not open to handing out extra money to any Government agency, especially schools (mostly out of irritation at teachers unions, but that is a different topic). When I heard that they wanted more of my money for a levy, I decided to educate myself. The school district and state government sites have quite a bit of fiscal information available for the public if one chooses to search it out. Based on STMA vs. state averages and other nearby communities, what was already done to reduce spending, the current stretching of public dollars, the districts history in borrowing money (none) and other reasons, I felt that they did put forth a reasonable request for additional money and they were not "over the top" in the amount. Also, some of the comments above....if your are underwater on your home, that is based on decisions that you had made and if you purchased a home that was over-valued during the housing boom then you need to do what is necessary for you. Why make the students and the community pay for your poor decision...and as far as the new school topics..."Bonds are for building", "Levies are for learning"...STMA is still towards the top compared to other school districts that are still "bleeding money" and are still asking for more.

You guys are all nuts. Bottom line if youve got kids in school you should pay nobobody else should.

Nicely stated Genuinely Curious.

As a parent with a couple of daughters I'm glad it passed. The education they are getting at STMA is a quality education. They feel like they have a future. One of them would like to be physical therapist and the other one wants to be a dentist. They wil be taking care of future generations. Do children of other communities have the same dreams? I think the quality of their education and their high school experience has given them hope.