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EDITOR’S NOTE:    Chisago Lakes School Board adopted the plan to put a bond issuance to a referendum (vote) in May.  The study that was done to identify needs,  found some $118 million in potential capital projects to be attended to in the coming 10 years. The school board is asking for authority to borrow enough to cover nearly $64 million. 

The Press will be doing a series on the projects in coming issues.  

April showers will bring a May special election this year for the Chisago Lakes School District.

At their organizational meeting on Monday, January 6, the Chisago Lakes School Board unanimously approved a resolution calling for a special election for the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $63,710,000 on Tuesday, May 13.

“That seems like a lot,” Superintendent Brian Dietz said during his monthly update. “But to be honest with you, things cost a lot of money and this addresses our greatest needs.”

Bonds can only be borrowed for physical projects such as construction, renovation, equipment and site acquisition.  Dietz used an example of rooftop air handling units that need to be purchased at the high school. There are between 12 to 14 of them at that site alone and according to the superintendent, they each cost about $500,000 with a shelf life of 40-50 years.

The resolution that was approved specifically states, “The Board has investigated the facts and does hereby find… that it is necessary and expedient to issue general obligation school building bonds of the School District in an aggregate amount not to exceed $63,710,000 (the Bonds) for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, safety and security improvements at Taylors Falls Elementary, the Middle School and the High School, and various roofing replacement, parking lot improvement and various other capital projects districtwide.”

“Once you understand the enormity of ‘things are expensive’, understand we’re making really prudent decisions,” Dietz added. “We’ve looked exhaustively at things that need to get done and I feel really good and I’m excited about the opportunities for some long term solutions that really make a lot of sense for our district.”

The resolution required a roll call vote, and board member Jeff Lindeman made the motion for approval while fellow member Jen Penzenstadler seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.

“Hours and hours of work have been done with the financial aspect of this,” Lindeman said. “It’s formality to come to this point. We’ve had people who have looked at this from every walk of life and every voter who could be out there and I want to commend Superintendent Dietz for that and all the work that has been done to get to this point.”

Last year, the district commissioned Nexus Solutions to do a comprehensive facility review of all the buildings. Nexus issued a 386 page report that highlighted everything from the air handling units Dietz referenced to boiler room upgrades to new doors, leaky windows, damaged ceilings, exterior finishes that are cracking, bleacher replacement, storm sewer repair, asphalt issues, upgrading to LED lights, and plumbing problems, among many other issues throughout the buildings in the district.

Dietz said the district plans to start their campaign of information in early February.

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