This spring voters in the Becker school district will vote on a proposed $37.5 million bond referendum.

Supt. Jeremy Schmidt says because the district has some expiring bonds, along with low-interest rates right now, there will be no increase in taxes for property owners if it passes. Upgrades would be made to every building, including safety and security measures.

The plan also includes shifting some grades to other buildings to alleviate overcrowding in the primary school building.

“To handle that is keeping our Pre-K, K and First grades in the primary school, shift the second grade to our intermediate school, and then shift the fifth grade to the middle school,” says Schmidt.  “So our addition would be to the middle school to add that fifth grade on to there, so they would have four grade levels.”

The middle school is expected to get some new classrooms for the fifth graders. Both the intermediate and middle school would get new cafeterias.

Other plans for the money include a new transportation facility, turf on the football field, and maintenance at all buildings.

“The Becker school district is growing with no sign of it slowing down anytime soon,” said Schimdt. 

One recent study says the Becker and Big Lake school districts will be the seventh and eighth fastest growing in the state in the coming years.

“Becker and Big Lake area, this area of the state really entices people because we have those large lots and we have the ability to get to places very quickly and easily,” said Becker’s Super.  “We don’t see that going away.”

The $37.5 million referendum will have just one question on the ballot. Early voting starts March 26 with election day on May 11.