COLD SPRING/SAUK RAPIDS - Two Central Minnesota school districts are increasing their property-tax levies for 2015.

Both the ROCORI and Sauk Rapids-Rice districts say the levy increases were related to laws changed by the state legislature that allows districts to increase their levies by a certain amount without voter approval.

Both tax increases were approved by the boards during their meetings on Monday night. The ROCORI district approved a 2015 tax levy of $5,389,643.

ROCORI superintendent Scott Staska says the levy will add about $470,000 of revenue next year and that it will go towards things like english language, special education and technology programs.

Sauk Rapids Rice approved a levy of $8,666,976.15.

District business manager Kim Eisenschenk says the extra funds will go to help children and families in need within the district. The money will also go where possible to reduce supplies families have to provide at the elementary level and reducing class sizes.

More From AM 1240 WJON