Description of Proposed School Construction Project Becker Public School District, ISD #0726-01, is proposing a two-question bond referendum on November 2, 2021. The first ballot question would authorize $37.5 million in bonding authority to finance: districtwide facility additions, renovations, deferred maintenance, secure entrances/administrative addition improvements and a new transportation building. The second ballot question would authorize $6.8 million in bonding authority to finance: artificial turf and lighting upgrades to existing athletic facilities and additional renovations for the (Early Childhood Family Education) ECFE space proposed in the first ballot question. Proposed projects would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2022-2024. Cost estimates by ballot question/project component are as follows:
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Student enrollment exceeds the capacity of the existing facilities and additional enrollment growth is anticipated in the next few years. To accommodate existing and projected space needs, a six classroom addition is proposed at the middle school to accommodate additional classroom space needs. The additional ECFE space proposed will also help with congestion at the existing primary school.
The district would structure the repayment of the bond issuance so that small principal and interest payments would be made in FY 2023 and FY 2024 to minimize the initial tax impact on the Payable 2022 and 2023 levies. The amount of future bond payments would increase as other bonded debt is retired.
The district has supplied cost estimates to operate and staff the additional building space. It appears that existing revenues, along with additional revenues resulting from enrollment growth, will be sufficient to fund the operational cost increase associated with the proposed projects. The proposed projects appear to be in the long-term interest of the school district.
If the bond referendum is successful and bonds are sold, the debt service on the bonds will be eligible for debt service equalization under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.53, subdivision 3, if the bond schedule is approved. The amount of debt service equalization aid, if any, the district receives is determined annually and is dependent upon property wealth, student population, and other statutory requirements.
Review and Comment Statement
Based on the department’s analysis of the school district’s required documentation and other pertinent information from sources of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment.
Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent’s office.
Heather Mueller, Ed.D. Commissioner
September 29, 2021
(Published in the Patriot: 10/09/21).
