Description of Proposed
School Construction Project
The Minnesota Department of Education has given a positive review and comment to a proposed school construction project for Big Lake Schools. The project, described in the excerpt from the Department Commissioner below, will be subject to voter approval during a referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The project’s ballot question will not result in a property tax increase if approved. Full information about the referendum can be found at BigLakeThrivingTogether.org.
Big Lake Public School District, ISD #0727-01 is proposing a three question referendum on November 5, 2024. The first ballot question would authorize an annual capital projects levy of approximately $930,816 for a ten year period. The second ballot question will seek an increase of $400 per pupil in the District’s operating referendum levy. The third ballot question would authorize $29 million in bonding authority to finance a field house and Setting IV special education center. The passage of the third ballot question is contingent upon passage of the increased operating referendum in second ballot question.
This review and comment only addresses the $29 million in bonding authority for ballot question #3. The projects proposed would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2025 thru 2027. Cost estimates by project type are as follows:
The district has supplied operational cost estimates for the proposed fieldhouse/special education additions and is projecting an operational cost increase of around $334,000 annually for both. However, with the additional revenue from the proposed operating levy increase in the second ballot question, the district can cover the increased operating costs associated with the fieldhouse and special education facility. 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.
Willie L. Jett II
Commissioner
(Published in the Patriot: 09/14/24.)