Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District Election Results: Complete Breakdown

If you live in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, here's everything you need to know about yesterday's election results. We're breaking down the numbers, what they mean, and what happens next.

Final Result: 68% Approved (12,370 votes for, 5,823 against)

The board of Independent School District No. 196 asked voters to approve a capital project levy authorization—and voters delivered a decisive yes.

Here's what that 68% yes vote actually means in dollars and cents:

Your property tax dollars will go toward technology investments across the district:

Safety and Security Technology Systems

Digital Curriculum and Classroom Technology

Technology Support and Maintenance

Network Infrastructure

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Here's an important detail most people miss: A portion of this new authorization replaces the district's existing authorization that's scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2025.

What this means: Not all of this is a brand new tax increase. Some of it simply continues funding that was already in place but set to expire.

The ballot made this explicit: "BY VOTING 'YES' ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE."

68% of voters understood this and voted yes anyway. That's a strong mandate for technology investment in your schools.

Three seats were available on the school board. Here's how it shook out:

Gardner secured the top spot with nearly a third of all votes cast. Her decisive win shows strong community support and positions her as a leading voice on the new board.

Cerio came in just behind Gardner, capturing 29% of the vote. The relatively small gap between first and second place (951 votes) suggests both candidates had strong community backing.

Mohamed secured the final seat with 24% of votes. While third place, this still represents substantial community support with over 10,000 voters choosing Mohamed for the board.

Plante captured 13% of the vote but fell short of the three available seats. The gap between third and fourth place was significant—nearly 4,600 votes.

A small percentage of voters wrote in alternative candidates, but these votes were not concentrated enough to impact the race.

Result: 96% of the vote (13,661 votes)

This wasn't even close. Diamond won the special election school board seat with an overwhelming mandate from voters. Only 531 people (4%) voted for write-in candidates.

Why this matters:

A 96% victory is extraordinary in any election. It suggests either:

This kind of mandate gives Diamond significant political capital as she joins the board.

2025 (This Year):

2026 (Next Year):

2026-2035 (The 10-Year Plan):

Expect visible changes in the coming years:

The three newly elected members—Gardner, Cerio, and Mohamed—along with Diamond from the special election, will be sworn in and begin their terms. They'll join the existing board members to:

With 100% of precincts reporting, we have complete data. Here's what the numbers tell us:

School Board Race Total Votes Cast: 43,836

Special Election Total Votes: 14,192

Capital Levy Total Votes: 18,193

The higher total vote count in the school board race compared to the levy question suggests some voters participated in candidate selection but skipped the financial question—possibly due to complexity or indecision.

The approved capital levy will increase property taxes for homeowners in the district. Here's what to expect:

First Year Impact (2026):

How to Calculate Your Impact: Contact the district's finance office or check your property tax statement when it arrives. The exact amount varies based on your home's assessed value and classification.

With $154.6 million dedicated to technology over 10 years, District 196 is making a major statement: they're prioritizing digital learning, safety systems, and preparing students for technology-driven careers.

This puts the district in a strong competitive position for:

Four new or re-elected board members means potential shifts in:

The 68% approval of the capital levy demonstrates strong community support for investing in school technology and infrastructure. This isn't a district where residents are cutting education budgets—they're willing to pay more for 21st-century improvements.

Let's get specific about how this massive investment breaks down over 10 years:

While the exact allocation may vary year by year based on needs and projects, here's the general framework:

Technology Systems (Safety & Security)

Digital Curriculum and Classroom Technology

Network Infrastructure

Technology Support and Maintenance

Computer Science and CTE Expansion

Note: These are estimated allocations. The district will provide detailed spending plans as projects are implemented.

If you're wondering why you should care about school board results, here's why these races matter more than most people realize:

School boards approve how millions of dollars get spent—including this $154.6M technology investment. Every program, every teacher hire, every building project—the board signs off on it.

From curriculum decisions to discipline policies to technology integration, school boards establish the framework for how your kids are educated.

With a 10-year, $154.6M authorization, these board members will oversee whether the money gets spent as promised. That's significant responsibility.

School boards hire and evaluate superintendents, who then hire principals and other district leadership. The board's decisions cascade through the entire organization.

These are your neighbors making decisions that directly impact your children, your property taxes, and your community's future.

✓ The capital levy passed decisively—68% of voters approved $154.6M in technology investments over 10 years

✓ First year levy: $15.46 million (payable in 2026)

✓ Funding focuses on safety/security systems, digital curriculum, classroom technology, network infrastructure, and expanding computer science and CTE programs

✓ A portion replaces expiring levy authorization, so it's not entirely a new tax

✓ Leah Gardner, Robin Cerio, and Sakawdin Mohamed will represent the community on the school board

✓ Catherine Diamond won her special election seat with an overwhelming 96% mandate

✓ Voter turnout was strong, with 100% of precincts reporting complete results

When will I see the tax increase? Taxes will be levied in 2025 but payable in 2026. You'll see the increase on your property tax statement that arrives in spring 2026.

How much will my property taxes increase? The exact amount depends on your property's net tax capacity (which is based on assessed value). Contact the district's finance office at [district contact] for a personalized estimate, or wait for your 2026 property tax statement.

Can I track how the money gets spent? Yes. School board meetings are public, and the district should provide regular updates on technology project implementation. You can attend board meetings, review meeting minutes, or request financial reports.

What happens after 10 years? The authorization expires after taxes payable in year 10 unless voters approve a new authorization. The district would need to come back to voters for any continuation or renewal.

What if the district doesn't spend all $154.6 million? The district can only levy what they actually need for approved projects, up to the maximum authorized amount. If projects cost less or aren't implemented, they wouldn't collect the full amount.

When will I see changes in my child's school? Expect to see the first wave of improvements starting in 2026, with continued rollout throughout the 10-year period. Safety and security upgrades are often prioritized first.

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan voters spoke clearly: they want to invest in technology, safety, and 21st-century learning for their schools. They've committed to $154.6 million over 10 years and chosen four board members to steward that investment.

Whether you voted yes or no, supported these candidates or others, the results are now official. The community has made its choice.

The next chapter begins with how these new board members lead, how the technology projects get planned and executed, how effectively the district manages this significant investment, and how the community continues engaging with its schools.

Want to stay updated on District 196 news, technology implementation progress, and board decisions? Follow our coverage for ongoing analysis of how these election results shape your schools' future.The Big Picture: What Happened

If you live in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, here's everything you need to know about yesterday's election results. We're breaking down the numbers, what they mean, and what happens next.

Final Result: 68% Approved (12,370 votes for, 5,823 against)

The board of Independent School District No. 196 asked voters to approve a capital project levy authorization—and voters delivered a decisive yes.

Here's what that 68% yes vote actually means in dollars and cents:

Your property tax dollars will go toward technology investments across the district:

Safety and Security Technology Systems

Digital Curriculum and Classroom Technology

Technology Support and Maintenance

Network Infrastructure

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Here's an important detail most people miss: A portion of this new authorization replaces the district's existing authorization that's scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2025.

What this means: Not all of this is a brand new tax increase. Some of it simply continues funding that was already in place but set to expire.

The ballot made this explicit: "BY VOTING 'YES' ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE."

68% of voters understood this and voted yes anyway. That's a strong mandate for technology investment in your schools.

Three seats were available on the school board. Here's how it shook out:

Gardner secured the top spot with nearly a third of all votes cast. Her decisive win shows strong community support and positions her as a leading voice on the new board.

Cerio came in just behind Gardner, capturing 29% of the vote. The relatively small gap between first and second place (951 votes) suggests both candidates had strong community backing.

Mohamed secured the final seat with 24% of votes. While third place, this still represents substantial community support with over 10,000 voters choosing Mohamed for the board.

Plante captured 13% of the vote but fell short of the three available seats. The gap between third and fourth place was significant—nearly 4,600 votes.

A small percentage of voters wrote in alternative candidates, but these votes were not concentrated enough to impact the race.

Result: 96% of the vote (13,661 votes)

This wasn't even close. Diamond won the special election school board seat with an overwhelming mandate from voters. Only 531 people (4%) voted for write-in candidates.

Why this matters:

A 96% victory is extraordinary in any election. It suggests either:

This kind of mandate gives Diamond significant political capital as she joins the board.

2025 (This Year):

2026 (Next Year):

2026-2035 (The 10-Year Plan):

Expect visible changes in the coming years:

The three newly elected members—Gardner, Cerio, and Mohamed—along with Diamond from the special election, will be sworn in and begin their terms. They'll join the existing board members to:

With 100% of precincts reporting, we have complete data. Here's what the numbers tell us:

School Board Race Total Votes Cast: 43,836

Special Election Total Votes: 14,192

Capital Levy Total Votes: 18,193

The higher total vote count in the school board race compared to the levy question suggests some voters participated in candidate selection but skipped the financial question—possibly due to complexity or indecision.

The approved capital levy will increase property taxes for homeowners in the district. Here's what to expect:

First Year Impact (2026):

How to Calculate Your Impact: Contact the district's finance office or check your property tax statement when it arrives. The exact amount varies based on your home's assessed value and classification.

With $154.6 million dedicated to technology over 10 years, District 196 is making a major statement: they're prioritizing digital learning, safety systems, and preparing students for technology-driven careers.

This puts the district in a strong competitive position for:

Four new or re-elected board members means potential shifts in:

The 68% approval of the capital levy demonstrates strong community support for investing in school technology and infrastructure. This isn't a district where residents are cutting education budgets—they're willing to pay more for 21st-century improvements.

Let's get specific about how this massive investment breaks down over 10 years:

While the exact allocation may vary year by year based on needs and projects, here's the general framework:

Technology Systems (Safety & Security)

Digital Curriculum and Classroom Technology

Network Infrastructure

Technology Support and Maintenance

Computer Science and CTE Expansion

Note: These are estimated allocations. The district will provide detailed spending plans as projects are implemented.

If you're wondering why you should care about school board results, here's why these races matter more than most people realize:

School boards approve how millions of dollars get spent—including this $154.6M technology investment. Every program, every teacher hire, every building project—the board signs off on it.

From curriculum decisions to discipline policies to technology integration, school boards establish the framework for how your kids are educated.

With a 10-year, $154.6M authorization, these board members will oversee whether the money gets spent as promised. That's significant responsibility.

School boards hire and evaluate superintendents, who then hire principals and other district leadership. The board's decisions cascade through the entire organization.

These are your neighbors making decisions that directly impact your children, your property taxes, and your community's future.

✓ The capital levy passed decisively—68% of voters approved $154.6M in technology investments over 10 years

✓ First year levy: $15.46 million (payable in 2026)

✓ Funding focuses on safety/security systems, digital curriculum, classroom technology, network infrastructure, and expanding computer science and CTE programs

✓ A portion replaces expiring levy authorization, so it's not entirely a new tax

✓ Leah Gardner, Robin Cerio, and Sakawdin Mohamed will represent the community on the school board

✓ Catherine Diamond won her special election seat with an overwhelming 96% mandate

✓ Voter turnout was strong, with 100% of precincts reporting complete results

When will I see the tax increase? Taxes will be levied in 2025 but payable in 2026. You'll see the increase on your property tax statement that arrives in spring 2026.

How much will my property taxes increase? The exact amount depends on your property's net tax capacity (which is based on assessed value). Contact the district's finance office at [district contact] for a personalized estimate, or wait for your 2026 property tax statement.

Can I track how the money gets spent? Yes. School board meetings are public, and the district should provide regular updates on technology project implementation. You can attend board meetings, review meeting minutes, or request financial reports.

What happens after 10 years? The authorization expires after taxes payable in year 10 unless voters approve a new authorization. The district would need to come back to voters for any continuation or renewal.

What if the district doesn't spend all $154.6 million? The district can only levy what they actually need for approved projects, up to the maximum authorized amount. If projects cost less or aren't implemented, they wouldn't collect the full amount.

When will I see changes in my child's school? Expect to see the first wave of improvements starting in 2026, with continued rollout throughout the 10-year period. Safety and security upgrades are often prioritized first.

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan voters spoke clearly: they want to invest in technology, safety, and 21st-century learning for their schools. They've committed to $154.6 million over 10 years and chosen four board members to steward that investment.

Whether you voted yes or no, supported these candidates or others, the results are now official. The community has made its choice.

The next chapter begins with how these new board members lead, how the technology projects get planned and executed, how effectively the district manages this significant investment, and how the community continues engaging with its schools.

Want to stay updated on District 196 news, technology implementation progress, and board decisions? Follow our coverage for ongoing analysis of how these election results shape your schools' future.