Glenville-Emmons School District Bond Referendum for New PK-12 School Unsuccessful

August 8, 2023

On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, voters in the Glenville-Emmons School District considered a one-question bond referendum in the amount of $37,420,000 for the construction of a new PK-12 school. Following the vote, the unofficial election results are: 579 YES (45%) and 715 NO (55%).

Superintendent Brian Shanks expressed his appreciation for the community's engagement:

"We are grateful to all voters who participated in the bond referendum. While the outcome wasn't what we had hoped for, we thank the community for being involved in this important decision-making process."

Despite the unsuccessful referendum, the Glenville-Emmons School District remains committed to providing a quality education to its students and will continue to explore other avenues to address the pressing needs of our school facilities.

OUR SCHOOL. OUR COMMUNITIES.
OUR LEGACY.

The Glenville-Emmons School Board calls for a special election on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, presenting voters with one question; to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $37,420,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction of a new PK-12 school.

Tax Impact

Ag2School Tax Credit

Voting Information

Open House Events

Questions

What If It Fails?

Referendum Materials

BALLOT QUESTION

Shall the board of Independent School District No. 2886 (Glenville-Emmons School District), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $37,420,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction of a new PK-12 school?

WATCH THE VIDEO

PROJECT SCOPE

Build a New PK-12 School

Our current school buildings have surpassed their useful life and have significant and costly issues that would need to be addressed if we were to continue using them. A community taskforce studied the options available and recommended that a new school would be the most effective way to address the issues.

Building a new school would provide:

Building Systems

Reduced operating costs due to energy-efficient systems
Reduced maintenance needs with new infrastructure
Dehumidification (air conditioning)

Learning Environment

Modern learning environments
Flexible learning spaces
Improved technology
Updated classroom resources
Increased programming opportunities

Health, Safety, and Security

Enhanced safety and security
Secure entryways
Improved indoor air quality
Fire suppression systems

Infrastructure and Site

Enhanced ADA accessibility
Community space
Room for growth
Rightsizing for our enrollment

Local Communities

Economic growth and vitality
Improved property values
Attracts new families and businesses
Source of pride and identity for our communities

Current Facility Issues

Fixing critical infrastructure issues in the current schools (heating and ventilation, roofs, plumbing, electrical, etc.) is estimated to cost $18 - $21 million, but DOES NOT address other educational and safety needs. The community taskforce reviewed the building issues and determined that following items could not be addressed in a cost effective manner.

The taskforce believed that school conditions are not representative of the value our community places on education and our students and staff deserve better.

Building Structures

Leaking roof beyond patching or repair
Water damage and structural deterioration
Original asbestos tile flooring
Lack of ADA accessibility features
Inefficiencies of operating two sites with current enrollment

M.E.P (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Systems

Boilers and heating/ventilation system that are 30 years past their useful life
Obsolete heating/ventilation controls
Lack of dehumidification (air conditioning)
Lighting fixtures that are 40 years past their useful life
Deteriorating plumbing systems
Outdated electrical infrastructure and unavailable spare parts
Original and inefficient plumbing fixtures

Health, Safety, and Security

Lack of security
Our current entrances do not align with recommended school safety and security practices
Poor indoor air quality
Lack of fire suppression

Learning Environments

Inadequate electrical service in technology education shops and classrooms
Outdated learning environments and furniture
Lack of flexible project-based learning spaces
Limited programming opportunities

Conceptual Rending of the New Building (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.

OPEN HOUSE INFO NIGHTS

5:30-7:00 P.M.

Join us for an informational open house! Tour the school, ask questions regarding the August 8, 2023 Referendum question, and more!

Both schools will be open for tours during the May 10 and June 6 Open House.

May 10, 2023
Glenville-Emmons High School
230 5th St SE, Glenville, MN 56036
May 18, 2023
Emmons American Legion
121 Main St, Emmons, MN 56029
June 6, 2023
Glenville-Emmons Elementary School
240 2nd Ave SW, Glenville, MN 56036
July 12, 2023
Glenville-Emmons High School
230 5th St SE, Glenville, MN 56036

DID YOU KNOW?

MN Ag2School Tax Credit

If the Glenville-Emmons School District referendum passes on August 8, 2023, agricultural landowners will see a 70% credit on their property tax bill related to the impact of the referendum.
The Ag2School Tax Credit will result in the State of Minnesota paying over 43% of the new school or $16,215,000.
This tax credit program is not a tax deduction – it is an automatic dollar-for-dollar credit with no application required.

Age of Schools

Our High School was originally constructed in 1956 and is 67 years old.
Our Elementary School was originally constructed in 1970 and is 53 years old.
Our buildings have now been assessed by engineers, architects, and facility analysts twice in the last 10 years and the conditions are alarming and continue to get worse.
Fixing infrastructure issues at current school sites (heating & ventilation, roofs, plumbing, electrical, etc.) is estimated to cost $18 - $21 million.
- - This would not include any updating of our learning environments or areas of need such as secure entryways.

Input from Many Stakeholders

The decision to build new 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.

HOW WE GOT HERE

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact Us!

Brian Shanks
Superintendent
shanksb@geschools.com
(507) 448-2889

Learn More!

Referendum Fact Sheet

Ag2School Tax Credit Flyer

Referendum Mailer

Referendum Presentation

Report abuse

Glenville-Emmons School District Bond Referendum for New PK-12 School Unsuccessful

OUR SCHOOL. OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR LEGACY.

BALLOT QUESTION

WATCH THE VIDEO

PROJECT SCOPE

Build a New PK-12 School

Building Systems

Learning Environment

Health, Safety, and Security

Infrastructure and Site

Local Communities

Current Facility Issues

Building Structures

M.E.P (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Systems

Health, Safety, and Security

Learning Environments

Conceptual Rending of the New Building (Click to view)

PHOTO GALLERY

OPEN HOUSE INFO NIGHTS

5:30-7:00 P.M.

DID YOU KNOW?

MN Ag2School Tax Credit

Age of Schools

Input from Many Stakeholders

HOW WE GOT HERE

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact Us!

Learn More!

OUR SCHOOL. OUR COMMUNITIES.
OUR LEGACY.