$462M Schools Plan, Bond Proposal Headed To SoWashCo Board

WOODBURY, MN — South Washington County Schools officials recently proposed a 10-year, $462 million plan to reduce overcrowding at the district’s schools and prepare to handle growing enrollment.

Officials are expected to ask the SoWashCo board to approve the plan at its April 21 meeting, which would allow the district to put the nine-figure referendum in front of voters in a special election Aug. 9.

Enrollment is projected to climb from about 18,500 students in 2021 to more than 22,600 students by 2031, and at least 15 schools would be over capacity by that point if nothing is done, according to the district.

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Six of the district’s elementary schools would not be able to accommodate the projected enrollment in 2031 without improvements, while none of SoWashCo’s middle schools or high schools could handle projected enrollment for 2031, officials said.

East Ridge and Woodbury high schools are already operating over capacity, while Grey Cloud and Pine Hill elementary schools, as well as Oltman Middle School, are expected to be over capacity within two years, officials said.

The proposal recommends renovations and improvements at almost all of the district’s two dozen schools, including classroom additions, new cafeterias and specialized learning spaces.

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The plan also calls for district officials to close Newport Elementary and turn it into a new early childhood learning center; build a new Crestview Elementary in a more central location and transform the old school into a site for South Washington Alternative High School; and replace Pine Hill Elementary with a larger structure that can serve more students.

Officials would also be forced to shift some attendance boundaries, though they’ve said they will try to limit those shifts as much as possible throughout the process.

None of the recommended projects would be completed before the start of the 2025-26 school year, officials said, promising to “provide a smooth transition” for students and their families.

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If the SoWashCo Schools board passes the 10-year facilities plan and voters approve the $462 million referendum in August, a homeowner whose property is valued at $300,000 — the average value of a home in the district — would see their taxes increase by about $23 per month or $280 a year, officials said.

“Moderate to extensive” attendance boundary shifts would occur before 2025 and temporary portable trailers could be required at some schools if the bond referendum is not approved by voters, according to the district.

South Washington County Schools officials are set to host an informational session at 6 p.m. March 15 at Oltman Middle School in Cottage Grove to explain the recommendations and answer residents’ questions.

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A virtual informational session is scheduled to be held on Zoom from 5:30-7 p.m. March 17.

Click here to see how the recommended proposal would impact each school in the South Washington County Schools system.

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