Schools
Board OKs $462M Referendum For SoWashCo Schools; Vote Set For Aug. 9
The $462 million referendum would be the largest successful school-funding request in Minnesota history if it is approved by voters.
WOODBURY, MN — Voters in the South Washington County Schools system will see a $462 million referendum on their 2022 primary ballots after the district’s board approved the nine-figure plan Thursday night.
The SoWashCo Schools board voted 6-1 at its meeting Thursday in support of the plan, which will now be put in front of voters Aug. 9, during Minnesota’s primaries. Board member Eric Tessmer was the lone vote against the plan.
The vote drew backlash from residents at the meeting, prompting some to walk out. Officials pushed on through to the next item on the agenda over murmurs of discontent among the audience.
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The district uploaded a video of Thursday night’s meeting to its YouTube page. The district’s video of the meeting shows the board listened to more than 20 minutes of public comment from residents, though the public-comment portion of the video appears to be muted.
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SoWashCo officials say the 10-year, $462 million plan is necessary for the district to reduce overcrowding and prepare to deal with growing enrollment figures.
Enrollment could climb by more than 20 percent over the next decade, according to the district’s projections. At least 15 schools would be operating over capacity by 2031 if nothing is done, officials have said.
The $462 million proposal recommends renovations and upgrades at almost all of the district's two dozen schools, including classroom additions, new cafeterias and specialized learning spaces.
It also calls for Newport Elementary's closure and conversion into a new early childhood learning center to serve about 900 students, a measure that one Newport parent told Patch would “break our community apart.”
The plan recommends Crestview Elementary be built in a more central location, with the old location to be transformed into a site for South Washington Alternative High School.
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Those changes would force district officials to shift some attendance boundaries, though they've said they will try to limit those as much as possible. None of the recommended projects would be completed before the start of the 2025-26 school year, officials said.
If the referendum is approved, officials have said they plan to spend about $195 million for upgrades and renovations at elementary schools, $59 million on middle schools and about $160 million on high schools.
About $47.5 million of the referendum funds would be used for special education and support sites, officials said.
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The district has 16 elementary schools, four middle schools and four high schools, and also offers early learning, adult education and special education services.
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 if voters approve the $462 million referendum in August, according to the district.
“Moderate to extensive” boundary shifts would be necessary before 2025 if the referendum is not approved, while temporary trailers could also be required at some schools, officials said.
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Click here to see South Washington County Schools' 10-year, $462 million referendum and its plans for each building.
The $462 million referendum would be the most expensive successful school referendum in Minnesota history if it is approved by voters — almost 30 percent more than White Bear Lake's $326 million referendum that was approved in November 2019.
Proposed Ballot Question
Shall the board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $462,660,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, construction of two elementary schools, expansion of three high schools, improvements to facilities districtwide and land acquisition?
BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
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