On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, voters in the Minneota Public Schools District considered a two-question bond referendum aimed at funding critical facility infrastructure and learning environment improvements. The unofficial election results are as follows:
Question #1: 428 YES (49.2%) | 442 NO (50.8%)
Question #2: 375 YES (43.2%) | 494 NO (56.8%)
As both questions did not receive voter approval, Superintendent Scott Monson acknowledged the outcome and emphasized the district’s commitment to moving forward:
"While we are disappointed in the results, we respect the decision of our community. We remain committed to maintaining safe and effective learning environments for our students and staff. We want to sincerely thank the Community Task Force for their time and dedication in thoroughly exploring necessary improvements to our facilities. We appreciate the engagement and feedback from our community throughout this discussion and will continue working together to find the best path forward."
Although the bond referendum did not pass, the school district remains dedicated to providing a high-quality education for all students. We will continue exploring alternative solutions to address our facility needs while ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
BUILDING REPAIRS // LEARNING SPACES
ACCESSIBILITY // SITE IMPROVEMENTS
ACCESSIBILITY // SITE IMPROVEMENTS
Minneota Public Schools will hold a special election on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, presenting voters with two (2) ballot questions for facility infrastructure and learning environment improvements.
The questions would authorize general obligation bonds in amounts not to exceed $11,725,000 (for Question #1) and $13,090,000 (for Question #2).
THE PROJECT SCOPE
WHAT WILL YOU BE VOTING ON IN FEBRUARY?
✓ QUESTION #1
Question 1 seeks approval for general obligation bonds not to exceed $11,725,000 for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to:
Accessibility & Safety Upgrades
ADA-Compliant Restrooms: Updates to 1st and 2nd-floor restrooms for ADA accessibility.
Asbestos Removal: Safe removal of asbestos-containing ceilings during upgrades.
Building Infrastructure Improvements
Electrical System Upgrades: Modernization of the building's 1957 and 1969 electrical distribution systems.
Heating, Cooling, & Air Quality: Replacement of outdated air handling units and boilers for better air quality and reliable temperature control.
Central Domestic Hot Water Plant: New, efficient water heating system to improve energy use and reliability.
Existing Wrestling Room Ventilation: Upgraded ventilation to improve air quality and humidity control.
Roofing & Exterior Repairs
Roof Upgrades: New multi-ply roofing on the high school, elementary, middle school, and gym areas to improve durability and drainage.
Shop and Boiler Room Windows & Doors: New, energy-efficient windows and door replacements with exterior repairs as needed.
Site Enhancements
Parking Lots & Drainage: Reconstruct parking lots and improve drainage to reduce pooling and water issues.
Energy & Operational Efficiency
High-Efficiency Boiler Plant: Dual-fuel boiler system to ensure reliable heating and reduce energy costs.
High-Efficiency Chiller Plant: New air-cooled chiller to provide cooling and humidity control while increasing energy efficiency.
CLICK HERE TO READ OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR QUESTION #1
Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 414 (Minneota Public Schools), Minnesota, be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds not to exceed $11,725,000 for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to infrastructure improvements such as roofing, HVAC, electrical and plumbing upgrades, site drainage, parking, and ADA-compliant restroom upgrades?
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IMPORTANT REMINDER: Question 2 can only pass if Question 1 is approved
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✓ QUESTION #2
Question 2 seeks approval for general obligation bonds not to exceed $13,090,000 for educational and programming needs, including new classrooms, a multi-use space addition, and a community storm shelter.
Elementary School Enhancements
Elementary Learning Community: Three new classrooms, a STEM lab, learning commons, and breakout space to encourage collaborative, hands-on learning for elementary students.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Upgrades
Updated CTE Classrooms & Workshops: Modernized CTE spaces designed to support evolving career programs and prepare students for future job skills.
New Multi-Use Spaces & Additions
Multi-Use Space / Cafeteria: New multi-use/cafeteria will serve as a cafeteria and additional gathering space for activities and/or student learning. This area will include a reconfigured kitchen and serving line.
Multi-Use Space / Relocated Wrestling Room: New multi-use/relocated wrestling room will provide a larger space for the wrestling program as well as other activities this space serves to include, but not limited to, dance practice, indoor recess, Phy. Ed. classes, baseball practice, Elementary activities/reward time, Community Education classes.
Relocated Weight & Fitness Room: Relocating the weight/fitness room allows for additional needed classrooms within the existing academic area.
Site Enhancements
New Playground/Equipment: Installation of safe, ADA-compliant playground and equipment.
Community Storm Shelter: The addition will also serve as a ICC 500 Storm Shelter for the community.
New Parking Lot: Additional parking to support building additions.
CLICK HERE TO READ OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR QUESTION #2
If School District Ballot Question #1 is approved, shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 414 (Minneota Public Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,090,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to educational and programming needs such as new classrooms and a multi-use space addition and a community storm shelter?
REFERENDUM
OPEN HOUSE & TOURS
OPEN HOUSE & TOURS
Join us for an exclusive building tour and open house to learn more about the upcoming 2025 referendum. This is your chance to hear directly from district leadership, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the February 11, 2025 referendum.
Each Open House event offers two convenient times — 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. They will begin with a brief presentation, followed by a guided building tour and a Q&A session where you can get answers to all your questions.
► Monday, December 16, 2024
Conference Room #103 // 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
► Monday, January 13, 2025
Conference Room #103 // 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
► Thursday, January 23, 2025
Conference Room #103 // 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
► Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Conference Room #103 // 6 p.m. or 7 p.m.
PROPOSED PLANS
FLOOR PLAN
Click to View ⬇︎
SITE PLAN
Click to View ⬇︎
PHOTO GALLERY
Explore the photo gallery below by hovering over the photo and clicking the arrows on the left or right side
DID YOU KNOW?
Ag2School Tax Credit Program
If the ballot questions are passed, the State of Minnesota will pay approximately 52.9% or $13,100,000 plus interest of the total cost of the referendum project through the Ag2School Credit Program.
All agricultural property owners will automatically receive a 70% credit on their property tax bills.
Spaces to Support Student Success
If both referendum questions pass, the project will add approximately 18,000 square feet of new space, including additional classrooms, a multi-use space/cafeteria, a multi-use space/relocated wrestling room, and a relocated multi-use space/weight & fitness room— enhancing our school’s ability to support students in a variety of ways.
Minimal Tax Impact
If both referendum questions pass, totaling $24.815 million, the estimated tax increase for a market value home of $200,000 would be approximately $12 per month.
Addressing Aging Infrastructure
Minneota Public Schools’ PK-12 building, built in 1951, is 73 years old and requires significant upgrades. Critical systems, like the electrical from 1957 and 1969, outdated air handling units, and chiller plant, are beyond their lifespan. Half of the roof is over 20 years old and the 1957 single-pane windows are inefficient and unsafe.
HOW DID WE GET HERE
The school board established referendum projects based on stakeholder input, identified facility needs, and funding
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Feb - Mar 2023
Feb - Mar 2023
Master Planning Process review with Facility Committee & Leadership
Facility Assessment Kick-Off
Comprehensive Facility Assessment
Asset Condition Assessment (ACA) completed
ACA Data uploaded to MysiteIQ
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Apr - Dec 2023
Apr - Dec 2023
ACA shared with Leadership
Facility Assessment results shared with Facility Committee
Facility survey results presented to School Board
Potential solutions introduced
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Jan 2024
Jan 2024
Facility Committee meeting with SitelogIQ & Baird
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Feb 2024
Feb 2024
School Board Retreat to understand:
Deferred maintenance needs
Potential solution scopes with estimated costs
Evaluated cost of waiting with inflation and construction costs
Financial impacts
Timelines & next steps
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Feb - Oct 2024
Feb - Oct 2024
Community-wide survey
Community engagement process authorized
Community Task Force met
Community survey results
Community Task Force recommendations
Board workshopping to prioritize project scope and budget
Review & Comment submitted to MDE
Board adopted Resolution for Election
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Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
Dec 2024 - Feb 2025
Referendum support
February 11, 2025 - election date
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND INPUT
A critical role in shaping the scope of work
The decision to move forward with the referendum was informed by a comprehensive process that involved input from various stakeholders. Multiple meetings were held with students, staff, administration, and the board to fully understand the district’s educational programming needs and to evaluate the long-term readiness of the facilities.
Community engagement played a critical role in shaping the scope of work. A task force, made up of community members, met five times to tour the building, assess infrastructure concerns, and discuss programmatic challenges and opportunities. Their work culminated in a prioritized list of recommended improvements, which was presented to the board.
Additionally, the district conducted a survey to gather feedback from the broader community on potential projects and funding levels. The survey, promoted via email, social media, and a postcard sent to all households, saw a strong response rate of over 30%.
The school board’s plan is ultimately based on a thoughtful combination of input from staff, students, community members, and identified facility needs, as well as careful consideration of funding options.
