Independent school district no. 831
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Forest Lake Area Schools is proposing a bond referendum on May 20, 2014 to finance additions, renovations, and deferred maintenance at multiple sites / attendance centers. The estimated dollar amount of all projects including bond issuance costs is $176,000,000 but, due to the capitalization of interest, the total dollar amount of bonds issued is expected to be around $188,205,000. The projects would be scheduled for completion in the 2015 – 2018 calendar years. The cost estimates by project type/location are as follows:
Additions/Renovations
o High School $42,914,848
o Century Junior High $11,056,433
o Southwest Junior High $5,098,788
$59,070,069
HVAC / Deferred Maintenance
o Elementary Schools $43,338,383
o High School $21,784,220
o Southwest Junior High $12,941,985
o Century Junior High $2,559,038
$80,623,625
Sitework / Athletic Facilities $31,434,258
o Century Pool
o CLC Demolition
o Athletic Fields / Parking Lots
o Stadium / Track Upgrades
Other Renovations / Improvements $4,872,048 o Performing Arts Area Upgrades
o Media Center Upgrades
o Districtwide Deferred Maintenance
If the referendum is successful, the Southwest facility would be repurposed from a junior high to a site for the programming currently offered at the Central Learning Center, which would be demolished. Century would be converted to a facility for seventh and eighth grades and ninth grade would be moved to the High School.
If the bond referendum is successful and bonds are sold, the debt service on the bonds will be eligible for debt service equalization under Minn. Stat. § 123B.53, subd. 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. The school board believes that these projects are in the best interest of the district.
REVIEW AND COMMENT STATEMENT
Based upon 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, 651-982-8104.
Dated: March 4, 2014
/s/Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Commissioner of Education
Published in the Forest Lake Times, March 27, April 3, 2014, 192889