The Plan

The most cost-effective solution to meet student needs is a new facility that prepares students for 21st century jobs. At a low cost to taxpayers (about $7 per month), the district can continue its long-term plan of modernizing facilities to create safe, secure, effective learning environments.  

Voters believed the previous bond referendum asked for too much. After thoughtful consideration, the school board went back to the drawing board. With a new more conservative plan, the board unanimously approved a two question referendum for a smaller facility at a lower cost. 

• Question 1:  A $48.84 million bond levy to build a new school for grades 3-5 at an estimated rate of 5% for a 22-year term. The owner of a $250,000 home would pay $7.17 per month.

• Question 2:  A $910,000 bond levy to construct soccer and baseball fields at the new school. The owner of a $250,000 home would pay $0.33 per month.

• S = Safety (parking, secure entryway, separate bus and car drop-off and pick-up lanes)

• A = Appropriate Academic Spaces for Learning (flexible learning spaces, rehearsal space, special education, pull-out spaces)

• F = Facilities - Adequately Sized Core Spaces (library, gym, food service prep areas, art/science, and music)

• E = Economics & Operational Efficiency - a new school:

  • Avoids $16 million in maintenance and repairs needed at McKinley and Adams

  • Eliminates transportation costs to move students to Kennedy for rehearsal time

  • Removes opportunity cost - maintenance dollars used on McKinley and Adams would be taken away from other buildings

  • Reduces operations costs with less maintenance cost for new construction and reducing redundant staff positions by combining two schools

This investment is part of the district’s long-term plan of modernizing facilities that began with renovations after the 2007 bond referendum and the 2019 acquisition of the Target site for early childhood education and kindergarten.

• Adequate rehearsal spaces 

• Larger kitchen and cafeteria space to produce healthier food options

• Enhanced, more flexible educational spaces 

• Safer, more efficient transportation (separate bus and car drop off and pick up lanes); expanded parking

• More secure entryway

• Operating one new school instead of two old schools comes with energy, repair and maintenance savings

• Redundant staffing positions can be reassigned or reduced through attrition

• Transportation costs can be reduced with onsite rehearsal space (students are currently bussed to Kennedy every four days for rehearsal time)

The plan provides an improved learning environment for our kids and supports the community’s investment in our buildings for years to come.

• Functional Facility: A new, modern building equipped with the latest technology and resources to enhance student learning.

• Dedicated Spaces: A new school would distinctly separate public/educational areas such as gyms, cafeteria, and music rooms from the general educational classrooms. Adequate space for student support services e.g. special education, English language learners, Title I, Response to Intervention (RTI), and mental health support.

• Safe Learning Environment: Updated security measures and accessible facilities to ensure student safety. Plans include a separate drop-off area, off-street parking for staff, parents, community members, and visitors. Under this new proposal, this would allow for a full-time administrator to be present at each of our elementary buildings full time.

• Baseball and Soccer Field: The district has a need for these activity complexes to better support middle school activities.

Community members with questions about our district’s Strong Schools = Strong Community referendum can contact Superintendent Jeff Drake at  jdrake@fergusotters.org or (218) 998-0544, ext. 9010.