Referendum
District-Wide Needs
QUESTION 1: Not to exceed $49,975,000
Transition k-4 elementary students to the current middle school, move 5-8 students to the current high school, and construct and equip new addition to the high school building for grades 9-12.
QUESTION 2: Not to exceed $11,335,000
Construct and equip a performing arts center as part of the new high school site. (Question 2 will only pass if Question 1 is approved.)
The Proposed Solution
The Proposed Educational Pathway
This referendum would positively impact all students as they move through our school district. The proposed plan would close both Ramsey and Sanford Elementary Schools and renovate the middle school into a consolidated elementary school building. This would improve efficiencies (sharing staff, academics, and maintenance), eliminate future maintenance expenses for the Ramsey and Sanford buildings, and save operational costs by shifting from five (5) facilities to three(3).
Furthermore, middle (5-8) and high (9-12) school students will share a campus at the current high school with a significant addition while retaining two school identities. As a result, students will benefit from shared access to elective courses and educational spaces, while remaining separate from each other throughout the day.
The Proposed Solution
In addition, if the referendum is successful:
Ramsey Elementary will be demolished and the land will be sold. The district will work with the city and neighborhood to determine an appropriate land use.
Sanford Elementary will be demolished, and a new Jr. Varsity baseball field will be built to replace the baseball field lost by the high school addition. The current high school locker rooms would also be renovated.
The Investment
A Unique Opportunity
Public school funding in Minnesota creates a unique opportunity for the Montevideo Public Schools and our local taxpayers to make extensive improvements to our facilities by capitalizing on significant state equalization funding provided for bond referenda.
The chart shows estimated sources of payments for debt service on the proposed bonds over the life of the bonds. Estimates assume no changes in property values, state equalizing factors, or in-state law. “Agriculture Land & Buildings” excludes taxes on the house, garage and one acre of land, which are included with “Residental / Other.”
What Will This Cost Me?
Approval of the ballot questions would result in a property tax increase beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and the debt service tax levies would remain in place for 20 years.
For example, a Residential Homestead property with a market value of $200,000 would have an estimated $500 annual tax impact starting in 2024.
For more information about the estimated tax impact for your Residential Homestead, Commercial/Industry, or Agricultural Property, visit our property tax informational page.
The Questions & Voting Information
WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT?
School District Question 1
Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 129 (Montevideo Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $49,975,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including converting the existing Montevideo Middle School site and facility for use as a grade K-4 elementary school; converting the existing Montevideo High School site and facility for use as a 5-8 middle school; the construction and equipping of a new high school addition to the existing high school site; the decommissioning of the Sanford and Ramsey Elementary School sites and facilities?
School District Question 2
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 129 (Montevideo Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,335,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of an auditorium at the new high school site?
VOTING INFORMATION
Special Referendum Election on November 7, 2023.
Register to Vote - Check your registration or register to vote
Absentee/Early Voting - September 22-November 6, 2023*
Early In-Person at the District Office at Montevideo Middle School, 2001 William Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To vote, enter through the west District Office entrance. You will be buzzed into the building to proceed to the District Office front desk/voting area. *The Montevideo School District will be closed on Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, 2023.
Request an absentee ballot - Contact the School District Office at 320-269-8833 or E-mail: election@montevideoschools.org. Absentee ballots are due to the District Office by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Election Day Voting - Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Polling Location - National Guard Training and Community Center (TACC), 711 South 17th Street, Montevideo, MN
Polling Hours - 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Visit https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/ or contact your local municipal clerk or school district office for more information or if you have any questions.