VOTE411 Voter Guide

The school board of Independent School District No. 728 (Elk River Area Schools) has proposed a project for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new high school and early childhood through middle school building in Otsego, Minnesota; the construction and equipping of an education center to serve alternative high school learners and children with disabilities; the construction of safety improvements and secure entrances at school sites and facilities, including at the Zimmerman Middle/High School and Rogers Middle School; the construction and equipping of a classroom addition at the Hassan Elementary School; remodeling and updates to the career and technical education (CTE) spaces in Zimmerman, Elk River and Rogers; repair and renovation projects at school sites and facilities; the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training; the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials; utility services costs and other capital revenue purposes. To provide funds for a portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $350,000,000. To provide funds for the remaining portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 5.579% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy will raise approximately $9,000,000 for taxes payable in 2027, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the capital project levy authorization is approximately $90,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the issuance of the general obligation school building bonds and the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 728 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.