Kingsland Public School District, ISD #2137-01 is proposing a single question bond referendum on May 13, 2025, that would authorize $11.5 million in bonding authority to finance a 23,000 square foot building addition that would house: a two- court gymnasium, 4 locker rooms, a weight/fitness room and a community education classroom with restrooms and ancillary space. Other projects proposed include: remodeling the existing weight room/stage area, parking lot upgrades, furniture/equipment and technology upgrades.
The proposed projects would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2025 through 2027. Project cost estimates by project component are as follows:
|
Project |
|||
|
Building Addition Components: |
Other Project Costs: |
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|
Gymnasium |
$4,800,000 |
Renovate Existing Weight Room Area |
$225,000 |
|
4 Locker Rooms |
$1,216,000 |
Demo Existing Locker Room |
$100,000 |
|
Weight / Fitness Room |
$938,000 |
Parking / Driveway Upgrades |
$460,000 |
|
Community Classroom / Restrooms |
$670,000 |
FF&E |
$450,000 |
|
$7,624,000 |
Technology |
$180,000 |
|
|
Fees, Permits & Testing |
$1,807,800 |
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|
TOTAL |
$11,917,928 |
Contingencies |
$657,766 |
|
Bond Issuance |
$413,362 |
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|
$4,293,928 |
The district last went to the voters in November of 2024 with a two-question bond referendum. The first ballot question, dedicated to deferred maintenance projects, was approved by the voters. The second ballot question sought approval for essentially the same projects proposed in this review and comment and was not approved by the voters.
The district was projecting a slight reduction in total student enrollment from 509 in the 2023-24 school year to 487 in the 2028-2029 school year at the time of the November 2024 referendum. Since then, 2028-29 enrollment projections have been revised upward to 512 students. The additional gymnasium space proposed, combined with the district’s existing gymnasium space, exceeds MDE building space guidelines for a school district of this size.
The district has supplied cost estimates to operate and staff the additional building space, and believes existing revenues will be sufficient to fund the operational cost increases associated with the proposed facility addition. The proposed projects appear to be in the long-term interest of the school district.
Review
and
Comment
Statement
Based on the department’s analysis of the school district’s required documentation and other pertinent information from sources of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment.
Additional
Information
is
Available
Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent’s office.
/s/ Willie L. Jett II, Commissioner
March 6, 2025
Publish 17