Is a new facility really needed?

Yes. A district-wide comprehensive facilities study that occurred two years ago showed learning spaces for Riverside Academy and Moving Forward were overcapacity and did not provide adequate learning spaces for students making it an immediate priority for the district to address. With the district’s decision to withdraw from the Rum River Special Education Cooperative last spring, a third program has been added to the need to locate space for student programming.

Who would benefit from the new facility?

Students first and foremost! Students in three of our specialized programs are in need of appropriate learning spaces that are safe, healthy and supportive.

The three programs include:

Riverside Academy - An alternative learning center for middle and high school students.

Moving Forward - A transitions program for special education students ages 18-21.

Special Education Setting IV - Students in grades K-12 with certain cognitive, emotional and behavioral needs.

It is important to provide all students with the appropriate learning environment and many times students in specialized programs aren’t afforded space designed for their needs.

The community would also benefit from this investment. Conceptual designs take community needs into consideration. One is the public demand for gym space. The proposed new facility includes a full-size basketball court that would be accessible to the community outside of school hours.

How would a new facility affect taxpayers?

The proposed property tax levy for 2019, which includes an estimate for the first year cost of a new facility, is projected to decrease by approximately 2 percent.

Prudent management and monitoring of local property taxes show the district could build a new facility without increasing the amount of property taxes collected by the district next year. Property taxes presently levied by the district are projected to decrease next year even with the first year costs of the new facility included.

Why build a new facility rather than rent or purchase an existing space?

The district began exploration of available properties and existing facilities to locate a new space for these programs in the fall of 2017. The options explored to address the space issue included buying an existing property and adding-on/remodeling, buying an existing property and remodeling, and buying land and building a new facility.

The exploration process showed a facility that would meet the requirements needed for the specialized programs did not exist within the district. Further exploration then led to investigation of district-owned property located south of County Road 19 and east of Highway 65.

The proposed new facility would be funded using a funding system that is currently levying taxpayers for leased space. The advantage is the community would gain an asset at the end of the loan rather than continuing to lease privately owned buildings which cost the district thousands of dollars annually.

Resources presently being spent on renting space would be reinvested into the proposed new facility. In the last eight years, the district has paid $1,322,500 to Rum River Special Education Cooperative in lease costs.

Will the new facility sink? Isn’t that a swamp?

No. The facility is situated on a portion of the parcel which is not a part of the wetland to the east of the proposed site. The proposed site is located on elevated land. Soil testings have been conducted at the site and the soil is considered excellent for building.

Has the decision to build a new facility already been made?

No. To date, the school board has not taken any action on a formal recommendation from district administration. The district has been thoroughly researching the viability, buildability and affordability of a new facility.

The next step is to continue to share the findings regarding building a proposed new facility with the community. The school board will act on a formal recommendation on December 20 at its regular meeting.

If approved, what is the timeline for the new facility construction?

The goal would be to start building construction as soon as weather permits in the spring of 2019. Occupancy would occur as soon as possible in 2020.

Find a timeline of the process by following the link.

What would happen to students while the new building is constructed?

Students in the Riverside and Moving Forward programs would continue to operate out of their present spaces until construction is complete. Special education setting IV students would follow a transition plan as determined by their IEP team. No student will be displaced during the building construction period.

Would the new facility be sustainable?

Yes. Both short-term and long-term factors are considered during planning. Finances and student enrollment trends have been a part of the planning. The proposed facility is designed with appropriately sized learning spaces that support each student populations’ unique needs. Design concepts include space for expansion should the programs continue to grow in the future.

How long has the district been exploring the proposed new facility?

Over two years ago the district pursued a comprehensive study of its facilities and grounds as a part of its strategic planning process. The study resulted in the learning spaces for Riverside Academy and Moving Forward being identified as a top priority for the district to address. Upon this finding, the district began exploring solutions to this need in the fall of 2017.

With the district’s decision to withdraw from the Rum River Special Education program in the spring of 2018, a space for special education setting IV students was incorporated into the district’s planning.

Who has been involved in the process?

Many have been involved in the process to date including district staff, school board members, and a facility study advisory committee which was open to the public. In addition, the district has been advised during its planning by Wold Architects and Engineers and Kraus-Anderson Construction Management.

The school board along with district administration have been studying the proposed new facility at several public meetings since last spring. Staff have been involved in user group meetings to provide their input on the space needs.

How can the community get involved?

Through the month of November and most of December, the community will have the opportunity to be informed and engage in the process. District residents should look for additional information in their mailbox, social media, and newspapers.

Community can attend public meetings including a public forum on November 27, the board study session on December 11 and the regular board meeting on December 20. In addition, the district will provide an online feedback tool for those who may be unable to attend any public meetings. Meetings can be scheduled with the superintendent, Dr. Ray Queener, to discuss the proposed new facility. Call 763-689-6201 or rqueener@c-ischools.org if desired.

School board meetings and agendas are available online.