Our school facilities are more than buildings — they’re community spaces that support learning, connection, and pride. At St. Francis Area Schools, we’re committed to maintaining these spaces for the health, safety, and success of our students, staff, and community.
At St. Francis Area Schools, we understand that our district is a direct reflection of the community we serve. The School Board and district leadership are committed to a facility planning strategy that reflects community priorities, supports student learning, and ensures responsible use of taxpayer resources.
To make certain future facility decisions are student-focused, fiscally responsible, and community-supported, St. Francis Area Schools is expanding communication and engagement through:
A Facility Master Planning Website
Community Task Force: Join the Team!
A District-Wide Community Survey
We will continue to share updates through this website, district emails, and social media channels.
Our ongoing commitment throughout this process is transparency, collaboration, and open communication.
The Community Task Force is a group of dedicated community members who provide valuable insight and input to the St. Francis Area Schools Board of Education as it plans for the future of our schools.
Throughout the process, Task Force members have engaged in learning and discussion around:
District demographics
Facility assessments
Current educational programs and practices
Facility tours
School finance basics
The overall financial health of the district
The information shared and gathered through these meetings will directly inform the District’s ongoing Facility Planning efforts, ensuring that future decisions reflect both community priorities and student needs.
During the first meeting, the Community Task Force learned that their work will culminate in a recommendation to the School Board regarding the future of St. Francis Area Schools facilities.
The group explored how school buildings influence student learning and how evolving educational needs shape facility planning. Task Force members also participated in interactive exercises to share what they brag, worry, wonder, and bet about the district — fostering meaningful conversation and reflection about its strengths and future opportunities.
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The evening began with a tour of the St. Francis Learning Center, led by Director Ben Craig. The facility is in good condition and was identified as one of the district’s strongest buildings. Task Force members noted potential improvements and discussed how the space supports students and staff.
The group then participated in a presentation and demonstration of MySiteIQ, the district’s system for tracking and managing facility assets, led by Brian Peters and Michael Smith from SitelogIQ, with support from Chris Lindquist.
A review of the community survey’s initial findings was scheduled but will be shared at a future meeting.
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The St. Francis Community Task Force continued discussions about the district’s long-term facility planning. The meeting featured guest presentations focused on school finance and community partnerships.
Michael Hart from PMA, the district's financial consultant, provided an overview of how Minnesota school districts are funded and shared comparative data for St. Francis Area Schools. He also presented a sample bond scenario to help explain financing concepts. (This example was for instructional purposes only; the School Board has not made any decision to pursue a referendum.)
City of St. Francis representatives Kate Thunstrom and Paul Carpenter discussed upcoming city projects and ways the City and District can collaborate to meet shared goals. Task Force members asked questions about community development and infrastructure, including the Bridge Street project.
The meeting also touched on the district’s Transportation Building, with a video tour featuring Peggy Tesdahl and Chris Lindquist in production for a future session.
The next meeting will be held on November 17 and will include a tour of St. Francis High School and discussion of indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements.
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Between September 30 and October 27, 2025, St. Francis Area Schools conducted a community-wide survey to gather input on district facility planning. Every household received a postcard with survey details, and thanks to your participation, we collected valuable feedback that is helping shape our Facility Master Plan.
We’re truly grateful to everyone who took the time to share their voice. Your input is making a real difference as we work together to determine the best path forward for our schools and community.