Bond Referendum Progress

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Ease overcrowding

The biggest need to be addressed in the bond referendum at the elementary level is for more space to ease overcrowding at schools in the southeast part of the district.  

The district’s 20th elementary school will be built on land the district already owns in the southwest corner of the intersection of Akron Avenue and Bonaire Path in Rosemount. When complete, it will provide needed space to address current overcrowding at adjacent elementary schools. A committee of district and elementary staff began working on design with Wold Architects in fall 2023. Site work is scheduled to begin in spring 2024, with construction to follow and completion scheduled for fall 2025, in time for the start of the 2025-26 school year. In 2024, the Elementary Education Department will lead a process to create an attendance area for elementary school #20. That process will involve staff and parents and guardians from schools that could potentially be impacted by the creation of an attendance area for the new school.  

Safety and security improvements

All elementary schools will receive some safety improvements based on need, including additional lighting, security cameras, and updated communications systems (radios) and fire alarm systems, where needed. This work will happen at different sites throughout the four-year construction timeline. For schools getting other improvements, the safety and security enhancements will happen at the same time other projects are scheduled. 

Dynamic learning spaces

Elementary schools will also receive new furniture, based on need, to ensure all elementary schools have dynamic learning spaces for students. This project was started in the 2015 bond referendum and funding was included in the 2023 bond referendum to continue updating spaces at schools throughout the district, based on need.  

Loading docks at Northview and Rosemount

These two oldest elementary schools in District 196 were not originally designed with a loading dock area like those available in the district’s other elementary schools. The addition of a loading dock will improve the efficiency and safety of receiving deliveries. Construction is scheduled to occur during summer 2025 at Rosemount and summer 2027 at Northview. 

Parking lot improvements at Southview and Thomas Lake

These safety improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2025. A drive will be widened at Southview and a bus loop will be installed at Thomas Lake. 

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Need for space and a more consistent experience across all middle schools

The biggest needs to be addressed in the bond referendum at the middle school level are the need for more space and providing a more consistent experience at all buildings. School-specific projects at the middle school level are listed below; click on the project for information.

New Rosemount Middle School

A committee began meeting in fall 2023 to begin discussions to guide design of the new school, which will replace the existing Rosemount Middle School. District and city of Rosemount staff have been working to identify a parcel of land on which to build the new school. Land for the site was purchased from the University of Minnesota in fall, 2024. Site work began in November, 2024 and completion of the project is expected in 2027. View renderings of the new Rosemount Middle School. 

Safety and security improvements

All middle schools will receive some safety improvements based on need, including additional lighting, security cameras, and updated communications systems (radios) and fire alarm systems, where needed. This work will happen at different sites throughout the four-year construction timeline. For schools getting other improvements, the safety and security enhancements will happen at the same time the other project is scheduled. 

Dynamic learning spaces

Middle schools will also receive new furniture, based on need, to ensure all middle schools have dynamic learning spaces for students. This project was started in the 2015 bond referendum and funding was included in the 2023 bond referendum to continue updating spaces at schools throughout the district, based on need.  

Science Classrooms at Scott Highlands, Dakota Hills, Falcon Ridge and Valley 

The Middle School Science Committee began meeting in fall 2023 to define the consistent experience for teaching and learning science in the district’s six middle schools, ranging from capacity needs at Scott Highlands to classroom sinks and electrical needs to support delivery of the science curriculum at all six middle schools. The science work will be done when other work is scheduled at each school. Completion dates for these projects range from summer 2026 to fall 2027.

Performing Arts Space at Scott Highlands

A committee has been meeting to determine district-wide priorities for improvements to performing arts spaces. the performing arts spaceThe performance space improvements committee has been meeting for a number of months and continues to work on determining priorities district wide.  Current recommendations for the MS level are to address the lack of a designated space for performance at SHMS.  It is recommended that a solution similar to the work previously accomplished at VMS which created a permanent stage and supporting features for improved performer and audience experiences.

Parking Lot and Restrooms at Falcon Ridge

The main parking lot will be modified to improve safety by creating separation between a lengthened parent/guardian drop-off line and the school bus loop. Some restrooms will be renovated to provide greater privacy.

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Need for space and a more consistent experience across all high schools

The biggest needs to be addressed in the bond referendum at the high school level are the need for more space and providing a more consistent experience at all buildings. School-specific projects at the high school level are listed below; click on the project for information.

Safety and security improvements

All high schools will receive some safety improvements based on need, including additional lighting, security cameras, and updated communications systems (radios) and fire alarm systems, where needed. This work will happen at different sites throughout the four-year construction timeline. For schools getting other improvements, the safety and security enhancements will happen at the same time the other project is scheduled. 

Dynamic learning spaces

High schools will also receive new furniture, based on need, to ensure all high schools have dynamic learning spaces for students. This project was started in the 2015 bond referendum and funding was included in the 2023 bond referendum to continue updating spaces at schools throughout the district, based on need.  

Renovation and Addition to Rosemount High School

The core planning group started meeting in January 2024 to make recommendations for completing renovations to the building that were started in a small way at the very front of the school following a successful bond referendum in 2015. This project will involve renovating core facilities, replacing equipment and updating the aesthetics of the remaining spaces in the existing building, as well as constructing a 300-student addition with space to improve circulation. It will address the building’s aging infrastructure while providing additional capacity that is projected to be needed over the next five to 10 years. This project will also include a new activity center.

Activity Center Additions

Each of the four comprehensive high schools in District 196 will receive an activity center addition to support academic, arts, and athletic activities at the schools, as well as use by community groups. A design committee began meeting in the fall of 2023 to determine the components that will be consistent in all four activity centers. They will be built first at Apple Valley and Eastview high schools, with completion scheduled for summer 2026, and then at Eagan and Rosemount, with completion scheduled for fall 2027. This is the reverse order that the schools received turf field improvements two years ago. 

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The projects listed below are also a part of the bond referendum approved by District 196 voters in May 2023. 

Addition to Dakota Ridge School

A design committee started meeting in summer 2023 to plan the addition to the northeast corner of the school. The addition will include a multipurpose gymnasium and six classrooms, with the possibility of two additional classrooms if bids are favorable and they can be added within budget. The addition will provide needed capacity for this growing special education program, which serves students K-12. The addition will also provide better separation of programs for students of different ages. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024, with completion in spring 2025.

Repurpose Rosemount Middle School Building

After the new Rosemount Middle School opens in fall 2026, work can begin to repurpose the existing building to meet other space needs for the district. A variety of potential uses have been identified. A staff committee will be established to determine how the space will be repurposed. Rosemount Middle School is the oldest school in the district. The main part of the building opened in 1953 and the original portion facing Highway 3 was built in 1918.