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Why Now? We won, but we also lost in November. The operating levy reduction was approved by voters and 52% of voters supported the new building question. Unfortunately, a technicality required a 60% rate of support. The needs haven’t changed - our old school is still old and does not meet the needs of our students. A new, 3-question referendum will be held Feb. 9, 2021. Our current facility challenges are significant. The oldest part of our school building was built in 1915 – before World War I. That’s over 105 years ago. With the average age of all sections of our school coming in at 76 years, we are well beyond the 41-year state average according to MDE. The age of our building is important because its inefficient design limits not only instruction, accessibility, and security, but also our ability to attract and retain students and employees. The Needs are GreatAccessibility ChallengesOur school does not meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) codes. There is no elevator so disabled students and visitors have limited access. Safety and Security Deficiencies There are too many unsecured areas. No automated lockdown notification system exists in the event of a school crisis and there are far too many unsecured access points. Aging Building Our building is old and requires significant investments. Major infrastructure deficiencies exist with windows, electrical, the building envelope, mechanical, plumbing, and interior finishes. The building would require extensive updates to prevent further deterioration and meet current building codes. Educational Limitations Our building was not designed to deliver education for the way kids learn today. Inadequate space or lack of usable space is a challenge that impacts our children’s learning. A detailed list is available here. The Time is Right
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