Houston Public Schools 2023 Referendum Unsuccessful

HOUSTON, MN – August 8, 2023

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, voters in the Houston Public Schools District rejected both referendum questions on the special election ballot. Following the vote, the unofficial election results are: Question 1: 113 YES (11.52%) and 868 NO (88.48%) and Question 2: 72 YES (7.44%) and 896 NO (92.56%).

“Despite the results from this special election, we remain committed to providing the best possible education for our students, and to finding acceptable long-term solutions that benefit our students, staff, and community. We will continue to engage with Houston residents to better serve our students and community” shared Houston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Morem.

Morem continued, “We thank everyone for their continued support and encourage continued conversations."

Our Schools. Our Community. Our Future.

Houston Public School District will hold a special election on August 8, 2023, presenting voters with two questions; to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $30,380,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including: safe and secure entrances, collaboration spaces for students, elementary and high school cafeteria, media center, the construction of a new auditorium and performing arts addition.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1

Approval of School District Bond Issue for Updating Building Programming

Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 294 (Houston Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,225,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances and safety improvements at the high school and elementary school sites; the construction and equipping of a new high school media center, cafeteria, and art classrooms; the conversion of the existing media center into a high school main office; renovations and ADA-accessibility improvements to restrooms at school sites and the high school locker rooms; the construction of improvements to parking lots; the relocation of the storage garage; the acquisition and installation of a fire suppression system at the high school site; renovations and updates to convert the high school principal’s office into meeting and collaboration spaces; and the construction and equipping of a multipurpose cafeteria and kitchen addition at the elementary school site and the repurposing of the existing cafeteria at that site into a music room?

QUESTION 2

Approval of School District Bond Issue for Updating Building Programming

If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 294 (Houston Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,155,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of an auditorium and performing arts addition at the high school facility that includes flexible academic spaces, a new band room and restrooms; and the repurposing of the existing band room into a weight room, concessions area and athletics entrance?

PROJECT SCOPE

QUESTION 1

Request building bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,225,000 to address deferred maintenance needs, safety and security, and academic programming.

Question 1 fund would provide:

High School

New Safe and Secure Entry Vestibule
Build a new secure front entrance vestibule with connection to the relocated high school main office. New vestibule will provide canopy and signage to improve wayfinding.
Main Office Renovation
Relocate the high school main office to the front of the building adjacent to the new safe and secure entry vestibule. The new location allows for a pass-thru entry system in which visitors enter the vestibule and then buzz for entrance into the relocated reception area. Visitors check in at the reception desk for admittance into the building. Office space includes a reception space, work room, conference room, principal office, and storage.
Media Center Addition
Build a new modern media center to provide students with resources and technology to improve teaching and learning. The new center will provide additional collaboration space, breakout space, and technology to support online and distance learning opportunities.
Cafeteria Remodel and Expansion
Update and expand existing cafeteria to provide additional dining space.
Collaborative Learning Commons
Build a new collaborative learning commons to link existing building to new media center, cafeteria, and art studio. Space to be designed to provide flexible and collaborative learning opportunities not currently available to HPS students.
Art Addition
Build a new art studio to support current programming needs.
Restrooms
Update existing restrooms to be ADA compliant, new fixtures, and finishes.
Locker Rooms
Reconfigure and update existing locker rooms to be ADA compliant, new fixtures, and finishes.
Safety Upgrades
Install fire sprinklers in both the existing and new square footage. Create building separations with new rated walls in existing building.
Additional Parking and Outdoor Storage
Pave existing gravel lot and expand to support additional square footage added to the building. Relocate outdoor storage garage.

Elementary School

Accessible Safe and Secure Entry
Build a new secure entry vestibule to be located at grade to provide accessible entry conditions with direct connection to the new main office.
Main Office
Relocate the main office to front of the building adjacent to the new safe and secure entry vestibule. The new location allows for a pass through entry system in which visitors enter the vestibule and then buzz for entrance into the relocated reception area. Visitors check in at the reception desk for admittance into the building. Office space includes a reception space, conference room, principal office, and storage.
Elevator
Build a new elevator in the new addition to provide accessibility to all three stories of the building.
Flexible Cafeteria and Multi-Purpose Kitchen
Build a new cafeteria space and warming kitchen adjacent to the new accessible entry to support teaching and learning outside mealtimes, and to provide additional space for community use. The kitchen will also support community gatherings.
Collaborative Learning Spaces
Build a new collaborative learning commons with technology and flexible furniture to support future-ready learning.
STEAM Lab
Build a new STEAM lab will provide additional space to support project-based learning and activities.
Music Room
Build a new music room with storage, adequate acoustics, and increased size to support programming.
Restrooms
Update existing restrooms to be ADA compliant, new fixtures, and finishes. Include new restrooms in addition.

QUESTION 2

Request building bonds in an amount not to exceed $12,155,000 to provide funds for the construction of an auditorium and performing arts addition, flexible learning spaces, new band room and restrooms.

⚠️ Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is approved ⚠️

Question 2 funds would provide:

Middle/High School

Flexible Auditorium Addition
Build a new flexible theater to support programming needs and provide additional multi-purpose space for school and community.
Flexible Learning Commons Addition
Build a new commons area in between flexible theater and band room to provide collaborative space and gathering space during events.
Band Room Addition
Build a new band room addition near new flexible theater to support programming needs.
Athletics Entrance and Concessions
Create a new dedicated athletics entrance and concession space at the west side of the gymnasium.
Weight and Fitness Room
Build a new weight room located near the athletics entrance in the existing band room to support programming needs and provide opportunity for community use.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Updates
Update and expand CTE programming.
Restrooms
Add new restrooms in building addition to support additional occupancy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Age of Our Schools

Houston High School was originally constructed in 1957 and is 66 years old.
Houston Elementary was originally constructed in 1938 and is 85 years old.

Tax Impact

Houston Public Schools is able to keep the impact of referendums lower for taxpayers as they receive more State equalization aid than most other school districts in the state of Minnesota.

MN Ag2School Tax Credit

If the Houston Public Schools referendum passes on August 8, 2023, the State of Minnesota would pay for 42% of the total Referendum project through the Ag2School Tax Credit program.
This tax credit program is not a tax deduction – it is an automatic dollar-for-dollar credit with no application required.

Input from Many Stakeholders

The decision to build additions and renovate our buildings was driven by input directly received from the community taskforce, District leadership, staff, students, and community members over a 2-year period.
Input was gathered through meetings, workshops, and a community-wide survey.