SoWashCo Board To Weigh $462M Referendum, Schools Plan Thursday

WOODBURY, MN — The South Washington County Schools board could decide Thursday night whether voters in the district will be asked to approve a $462 million referendum during a special election in August.

Officials are set to present their 10-year, nine-figure plan for renovations and upgrades to the district’s board at its next meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at 7362 E. Point Douglas Road S. in Cottage Grove.

They are expected to then ask the board to approve their plans Thursday and place the referendum on ballots for the special election, which would be held Aug. 9, the same day as Minnesota’s 2022 primary elections.

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The 10-year, $462 million plan is needed to reduce overcrowding at schools and allow the district to prepare for growing enrollment, officials have said.

The district’s projections show enrollment could climb by more than 20 percent over the next decade, with at least 15 schools operating over capacity by 2031 if nothing is done, officials said.

Six 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, according to the district.

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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, according to the district’s data.

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.

The plan calls for Newport Elementary’s closure and conversion into a new early childhood learning center to serve about 900 students, as well as for Crestview Elementary to be built in a more central location. The old Crestview would be transformed into a site for South Washington Alternative High School, according to the district’s plans.

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Pine Hill Elementary would be rebuilt with a larger structure to serve more students, according to the plans.

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.

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 the SoWashCo board approves the $462 million referendum Thursday and voters OK it in August, according to the district.

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Officials said “moderate to extensive” attendance boundary shifts would occur before 2025 if the referendum is not approved. Temporary trailers could also be required at some schools, officials said.

Click here to see South Washington County Schools’ 10-year, $462 million referendum and its plans for each building.

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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