Bond Referendum for Buildings

Quality public schools are at the core of thriving communities. Many families report choosing to live in District 196 because of the quality of the schools, the opportunities for students and our Triple-A, whole-child approach to learning through academics, arts and athletics. Quality schools keep demand for housing strong and property values higher.

To ensure adequate and appropriate space to continue the quality of education District 196 families expect, a district committee conducted a nearly two-year review of facilities and equipment needs and developed a phased master plan to address needs in three areas.

Safety and Security – The safety of students, staff and visitors is always our top priority. To ensure safe spaces, our schools need replacement of security camera systems, additional cameras and lighting, updated fire alarm and communication systems, and redesigned bathrooms for improved supervision and added privacy.
Space for Growth – As a destination district for people moving to the area, our need for space continues to grow. To eliminate overcrowding and ensure adequate space for projected enrollment growth in the next 10 years, we need to build new schools and renovate/add to current spaces.
Consistent Experience – We strive to provide students and families the same opportunities in academics, arts and athletics at all of our schools, which were built in different years and have different needs. To do this, we need to update older schools and technology, and build new spaces across the district.

Improvements are proposed to address these needs in a two-question bond referendum election the committee recommended and the School Board approved for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 (absentee voting begins March 24).

If approved by district voters, the bond would improve safety and security at every school, provide additional space for now and the future, address deferred maintenance needs, update learning spaces and add high school activity centers to provide needed space for physical education classes, cocurricular activities and community use. The recommendations include improvements for every school and learning center in the district.

Polls will be open from 7a.m. to 8p.m. on May 9, 2023. Find your polling place.

Absentee voting begins on March 24, 2023. Complete your 2023 Minnesota Absentee Ballot Application.

Minnesota Secretary of State Information on voting early by mail

Complete Voting Information

Hotline: 651-423-7776
bondinformation@district196.org

10 Reasons District 196 Is Holding A Bond Referendum

What Improvements are in Question 1 and Question 2?

Question 1 Improvements

Safety and security improvements that would include new and additional security cameras at every site, a districtwide radio communication system, additional outdoor lighting at secondary school sites, replacement of fire alarm systems, and remodel/redesign of some student bathrooms at secondary schools for improved supervision and added privacy.
New elementary school to provide relief for crowding at elementary schools in the southeast part of the district, where most of the current and future housing growth will occur. The district owns land in Rosemount that was purchased as a future school site with funds from the 2015 bond referendum.
New Rosemount Middle School built at a different site to provide a more consistent experience and accommodate future growth. Rosemount Middle is the oldest building in the district and is operating over capacity, with crowded hallways and inadequate core facilities.
Repurpose existing Rosemount Middle School for multiple other possible uses that would be determined later.
Land purchase for new Rosemount Middle School and future use.
Renovated Rosemount High School, completing the project started with the 2015 bond referendum, to provide a more consistent student experience, and a 300-student addition to accommodate future growth.
Additional science labs and upgrades at three middle schools and all four comprehensive high schools to provide a consistent number and size of science labs at schools across each level. Some schools currently use regular classrooms as science labs, without water, due to a lack of lab space.
Addition to Scott Highlands Middle School to provide relief for current overcrowding and space for growth in the southeast part of the district.
Addition to Dakota Ridge School to provide relief for crowding and space for growth in this K-12 special education school, and renovation of the Transition Plus building to provide appropriate facilities to meet the needs of students in this special education program for ages 18-21.
Performance space improvements at secondary schools to provide a more consistent experience.
Furniture replacement to continue the project started with the 2015 bond referendum to provide flexible learning spaces at all schools.

Question 2 Improvements

An addition of activity center space at each comprehensive high school (Eagan, Eastview, Rosemount, Apple Valley)
* Passage of Question 2 is contingent on passage of Question 1

What is the cost and tax impact?

Improvements are proposed to address these needs in a two-question bond referendum election on May 9, 2023 (early voting begins March 24).

Question 1 improvements would cost an estimated $374 million, at a tax impact of $11.50 per month on the average-value home in District 196 ($400,000).

Question 2 improvements would cost an additional $119 million, at a tax impact of $7 per month on the average-value home. Passage of Question 2 is contingent on passage of Question 1.

Calculate the estimated tax impact for your specific property.

What if the referendum questions are not approved?

Important safety, security and maintenance needs would not be addressed.
Overcrowding would continue at schools and worsen with projected enrollment growth.
Aging and inadequate spaces would not be updated and students would continue to have inconsistent learning experiences.
Activity center space would not be built or available for physical education classes, after-school cocurriculars or use by the community.

What is an activity center?

An activity center is a large/tall indoor space with multiple courts or stations that can be used for a variety of activities. Physical education classes use the space during the school day, and cocurricular activities, clubs, citizens and community groups use activity centers at other times. Thirty of the 53 school districts in the Twin Cities area (57%) have at least one activity center.

Why are activity centers needed?

The committee identified a need for larger, more flexible space with tall ceilings that can be used for a variety of activities such as marching band, indoor track practice, spring baseball practice, multiple court community youth and adult tournaments, large science/physics/robotics experiments, etc. These spaces also free up scarce gym space and would allow some outdoor activities to be held indoors in inclement weather.

How will I be impacted if I don’t have children enrolled in the district?

Prepared and paid for by Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools), 3455 153rd St. W., Rosemount, MN 55068. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.

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