Local voters approve school funding increase
MONTICELLO — Public school districts across Minnesota, including those serving Monticello, Big Lake and Becker, will receive additional funding beginning next summer after voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment increasing annual payments from the state's Permanent School Fund. The amendment, approved in Tuesday's general election, increases the amount distributed annually from the $2.3 billion fund, which supports public education without raising income or property taxes. Unofficial statewide results early Wednesday showed approximately 73% of voters supporting the measure, with 23% opposed and 4% leaving the question blank. Locally, the amendment received majority support in Monticello, Big Lake and Becker, as well as their surrounding townships, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. Support was strongest in Monticello, where 4,309 voters supported the amendment and 1,695 opposed it. Including ballots left blank, the measure received 68.8% support in the city. In Big Lake, 64.1% of voters supported the amendment, while Becker voters approved it with 60.7% support. Voters in the surrounding townships were less supportive. The amendment received 57.8% support in Monticello Township, 56.4% in Big Lake Township and 55.5% in Becker Township. Countywide, the measure received 65.2% support in Wright County, compared with 59.5% in neighboring
