Becker Public School District, ISD #0726-01, is proposing a single-question bond referendum on May 11, 2021, that would authorize $37.5 million in bonding authority to finance districtwide facility additions, renovations, deferred maintenance and secure entrance/administrative addition improvements. Other proposed projects include a new transportation building and artificial turf for the existing stadium.
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, the district proposes to move 2nd grade students from the primary school to the intermediate school and 5th grade students from the intermediate school to the middle school. A 28,886 square foot classroom addition is proposed at the middle school to accommodate additional classroom space needs.
Proposed projects would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2021-2023. Cost estimates by location/project component are as follows:
Primary School
Secure Entrance / Admin Office Addition $451,080
Roof Line Modifications $56,000
Drop-off Area Modifications $200,000
Gymnasium Acoustical Upgrades $100,000
$807,080
Middle School
Secure Entrance / Admin Office Addition $564,750
Renovations $704,000
Kitchen Upgrades $100,000
Classroom Additions $7,221,500
$8,590,250
Intermediate School
Secure Entrance / Admin Office Addition $614,950
Media Center Renovations $320,000
Kitchen / Cafeteria Addition $350,000
Other Renovations $569,480
$1,854,430
High School
Secure Entrance $30,000
CTE / FACS Renovations $1,865,600
Other Renovations $1,150,000
$3,045,600
Districtwide Deferred Maintenance
HVAC Upgrades $5,470,000
Roof Replacement $2,812,500
Building Envelope $312,500
Interior Upgrades $547,500
$9,142,500
Transportation Building
New Construction $4,000,000
Stadium
Artificial Turf $1,090,000
Districtwide
FF&E / Technology $780,000
Fees, Permits & Testing $5,715,423
Contingency $1,905,141
Bond Issuance $561,600
$8,962,164
TOTAL Project Costs $37,492,024
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 facility additions. 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.
Additional Information is Available
Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent’s office.
/s/ Mary Cathryn Ricker, NBCT
Commissioner
February 16, 2021
(Published in the Patriot: 03/13/21).
