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Voters in the Edgerton Public School District will be asked to approve $16.3 million in projects on Tuesday, April 9.
The ballot will contain two questions. The first asks: “Shall the board of Independent School District No. 581 (Edgerton), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,500,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, replacement, upgrades and improvements to restrooms, early childhood classrooms, gymnasium, locker rooms, bathrooms and weight room area, relocation of the maintenance/vehicle storage building, demolition of the 1936 building (The Den), and various deferred capital maintenance projects?”
This image shows the proposed changes to the Edgerton Public School that the school district will ask voters to approve on April 9. The updates include a new gymnasium and a office area that would be at the main entrance to the school. Source: Edgerton Public School District
The second question asks: “If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 581 (Edgerton), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,800,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, constructing and equipping of a safe and secure main entrance, additional classrooms, and improvement of parking and traffic flow?”
Question two is contingent upon question one being approved. Voting yes to question one or both questions equates to voting for a property tax increase.
According to information from Ehlers, a public finance advisor firm, the estimated tax impact on a residential homestead with an estimated market value of $165,000 would be $157 for taxes payable in 2025 if question one is approved and $34 more if question two is approved, for a total of $191 if both questions are approved.
This is the layout of a proposed addition to the Edgerton Public School. Voters in the Edgerton Public School District will be asked to approve the addition, which are expected to cost $16.3 million, on Tuesday, April 9. Source: Edgerton Public School District
Edgerton Public School District Superintendent Keith Buckridge said the school board has been discussing the proposed project related to the gymnasium for several years. Buckridge said the wood floor in the weight room is starting to crumble, the gym is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, gym space is limited, and there are no working showers in the locker rooms.
The school board has also discussed creating a secure entrance to the building for several years. That would be accomplished by moving the district offices to the new entrance of the building, which would be connected to the new gymnasium area. Buckridge said the existing office area would then be converted into special education and English as a second language classrooms, and office space for outside staff that comes into the school to meet with students.
More information about the project can be found at www.edgertonpublic.com by clicking on the Building Project link.
Election Day in-person voting will take place April 9 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Edgerton Emergency Services Building at 230 Mill Street in Edgerton. Early and absentee voting opened Feb. 23 and can be done at the Edgerton Public Schools District Office at 423 First Ave. W. in Edgerton between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on scheduled school days.
