(KNSI) – The ROCORI School District will put two referendums before voters this August. The ballot measures ask for approval to issue general obligation bonds totaling $72.75 million for comprehensive facilities improvements.
Board of Education Chairperson Jennifer Bohnsack says the issue dates back to an assessment completed last year. In spring 2021, WOLD Architects and Engineers looked at needs ranging from security improvements to technology upgrades at several buildings. A Community Task Force took the recommendations and identified $146 million in shortcomings that needed attention.
A community survey conducted this year reduced the scope of the initial proposal to just under $88 million. The district says an unprecedented donation will bring the total bill owed by taxpayers down to $72.75 million.
The first referendum concerns building improvements at Cold Spring, John Clark, and Richmond Elementary Schools, the high school/middle school campus, and technology improvements district-wide. Career and technical education offerings would also be boosted.
The second measure is for a new activities center. It would house a pool, several multipurpose courts for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball, an indoor track, and more.
Bohnsack says ROCORI still needs to present the plan to the Minnesota Department of Education for review. She invites questions through email, using referendum@rocori.k12.mn.us, or the address for the general school board. The district’s website has additional details about its plans.
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