Remember to get out and vote today! While it is not a state or federal election year there are some important issues being decided in many places, such as: City Officers, School Board Members, Township Officers and Local ballot questions.For voters in our area today, the Cass Lake-Bena School District has a $37.8 million bond referendum on the ballot.
Voters will decide whether or not to approve the funding needed to construct a new intermediate grades 3-5 elementary school on the district’s current middle school and high school campus; repurpose the existing elementary school into a PreK-2 school; replace the oldest section of the Alternative Learning Center (ALC)/District Resource Center (DRC) and make repairs and improvements to the ALC; and make repairs and improvements at the middle school and high school.
Polling locations and hours
Hours for voting on November 7, 2017, will be from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in Bena and Winnie Portage will vote at the Bena Community Center. All other voters in the district will vote at the Pike Bay Town Hall.
Details on the Cass Lake-Bena School District Bond Referendum
If approved, bond referendum would include projects, repairs and upgrades at all school facilities
The Cass Lake-Bena School District has a bond referendum on the ballot in the Tuesday, November 7, election. The referendum is to address the district’s facility needs. The 20-year bond would cost taxpayers approximately $167 a year on a home valued at $100,000. A preliminary tax impact chart and tax impact calculator are available on the district’s website, www.clbs.k12.mn.us.
If approved, the $37.8 million bond would be used to complete the following projects:
- Build a new intermediate grades 3-5 elementary school
- 75,000-square-foot building on the middle school/high school campus
- Larger gym for community and potentially wrestling team use
- Renovate existing elementary school into a PreK-grade 2 primary school
- Renovate first grade wing for PreK classrooms
- Upgrade kindergarten rooms in existing locations
- Repurpose existing grades 2-4 wings into classrooms
- Renovate existing space for improved and additional special education spaces
- Replace lockers and renovate locker bays
- Replace boiler heating equipment
- Upgrade and repair the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) and District Resource Center (DRC)
- Upgrade ALC science classroom
- Secure entry and relocate ALC administration offices to first floor
- Demolish the 1954 section of the building and replace it with an addition that includes restrooms, gym storage, special education classrooms, and district offices
- Upgrade fire protection systems
- Upgrade ALC and gym mechanical and electrical systems
- Repair high-priority exterior items
- Upgrade security cameras
- Make gym upgrades
- Make high school repairs and improvements
- Secure main entry and make office renovations
- Replace gym bleachers
- Make mechanical improvements – add ventilation to the fitness center, data closet cooling, and water heater replacement
- Repair high-priority exterior items
- Upgrade security cameras
- Make middle school repairs and improvements
- Boiler plant capacity improvements
- Secure main entry
- Add dehumidification to cafeteria and gym
- Upgrade security camera and paging systems
- Repurpose areas to create flexible small group learning spaces and additional special education spaces