Originally published 4:36 a.m. February 12th, 2025
Updated 7:27 a.m. February 12th, 2025
(KNSI) — In the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District special election Tuesday, the unofficial results say the yeas have it.
Voters braved the cold and voted yes for questions one and two for the One Storm One Future Facility Improvement Plan.
The first asked to build a new facility to replace the Hillside Early Childhood Center. The yes votes were 1,815, and the no votes were 1,266. It will take around $37.2 million to replace the almost 100-year-old, 40,000 square foot Hillside building. It was first a high school, then a middle school, and then an elementary school and now it houses the community’s littlest learners. The building isn’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and has major issues with its heating and HVAC systems.
Question two asked for $17.7 million million for an athletic complex at the high school. That passed with 1,661 yeses and 1,416 no votes.
In 2000, the voters in the district decided to build the current high school, which opened in 2003. Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom explained that was meant to be phase one of the project. The second phase of building the high school is the outdoor activities project. The land sits at the middle school that was once the old high school.
Both projects will have a minimal tax impact because the debt for the high school will be paid off at the end of this year. Using those funds means annually, it would cost the owner of a median price of a home in the district, which is around $260,000, an additional $3.
In a press release, Superintendent Brad Bergstrom said the result is a “testament to our communities’ commitment to the success of our students and schools. With this approved bond funding, we now have the opportunity to address the growing demand for early learning programming and move forward with phase two of the high school plan, which includes an outdoor activity complex. Both projects will serve as a lasting legacy, benefiting our community for generations to come.”
In the coming months, the district’s design firm will collaborate with school leadership, students, staff, and the community to develop design plans that meet the needs of the district for years to come. Following this design phase, a public bidding process will be held for construction. Construction is set to begin in May 2026, with an anticipated completion date and opening in the fall of 2027.
“We are deeply grateful for your continued engagement throughout this process. Your involvement ensures that these projects reflect the priorities and values of our entire community,” Bergstrom added. “We look forward to working together to bring these important improvements to life.”
In Sartell St. Stepehen, the unofficial results show question one, asking for $21.9 million to replace the HVAC system at Riverview Intermediate School, passed with 1,663 yes votes and 1,149 no votes. Riverview is the original high school built in 1969, and the HVAC system has never been upgraded. Superintendent Dr. Mike Rivard explained that repairs were getting costly and parts were getting harder to find, so an upgrade was needed.
Question two asked for asking for $8.5 million for athletic fields at the high school. That measure failed with 1,099 yeses to 1,709 no votes. According to Rivard, this was always part of the plans when the school opened in 2019.
He says Sartell is among the 10% of schools without an on campus track facility. The complex also would have included a turf field, scoreboard, and bleachers.
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