During its regular December Board meeting, the District 196 School Board unanimously certified a property tax levy of $168,815,699 for taxes payable in 2026. The approved increase follows a November 2025 referendum to renew and increase the district’s Technology Levy, which earned 68% support of district voters. The approved levy represents an 8.2% increase over the previous year.

Director of Finance and Operations Christopher Onyango-Robshaw presented the Truth in Taxation hearing details prior to the board’s vote. He highlighted that the levy supports the district's mission to provide essential resources for student engagement in academics, arts, and athletics. In Minnesota, education funding is a shared responsibility, with the state funding approximately 56.1% of the district’s total budget, the federal government providing 3%, local property taxes account for 22.4% and other local sources (e.g. fees and interest earnings) accounting for 18.5%.

School Boards have limited discretion in setting their tax levies, as most of the calculations are tied to two factors: voter-approved levies and state funding formulas. Unlike cities and counties, which set their budgets and then set the tax levy to fund them, school districts receive levy calculations from the Minnesota Department of Education. They must develop their budgets within those limits.

Key funding drivers

Approximately 67% of the total levy comes from voter-approved referendums, including the operating levy (2019), building bonds (2023), and the recently renewed and increased technology levy approved by voters in November 2025.

A portion of the increase reflects inflationary adjustments within the general fund, which is tied to state funding formulas that require a shared commitment of state aid and local levy.

Impact on Taxpayers 

For the owner of an average-valued home ($400,000) in District 196, the levy increase is estimated to raise school district taxes by approximately $7 per month.

“Our voters have been very generous,” said Onyango-Robshaw, noting that a significant majority of the collected taxes are based on direct community support for the school district. Current voter-approved construction projects include the newly opened Emerald Trail Elementary School, a new Rosemount Middle School, additions/renovations at almost every school in the district, and four high school activity centers expected to open in 2027.