Henning receives positive response on referendum
News | Published on October 26, 2022 at 3:11pm EDT | Author: Chad Koenen
0Levy broken down into specific costs, projects
By Chad Koenen
Publisher
The Henning School Board received a positive review and comment from the Minnesota Department of Education regarding its upcoming school referendum.
During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board received a review and comment statement from MDE and the Commissioner of Education. According to the report, the commissioner had a positive review and comment about the project. The document contained a breakdown of how the money would be spent should the referendum be approved by school district voters on November 8.
According to the document provided by the school district, the first ballot would cost $23.4 million, but would include $1.65 million in existing school district funding sources like ESSER funds, capital project levy proceeds, operating capital dollars and long-term facilities maintenance funds.
The breakdown of expenses include: $2.8 million for a cafeteria/commons/administration addition, $2.1 million for CTE space additions, $4.8 million in renovations, $2.2 million in HVAC upgrades, $2.1 million in deferred maintenance, $1.2 million in FF&E/technology, $877,000 in site improvements, $1.1 million in fees/permits/testing, $2.5 million in contingencies and $356,716 in bond issuance costs.
The second question would total $4.5 million. The costs are broken down to $2.8 million for a new gymnasium, $353,4000 in deferred maintenance, $809,960 in fees/permits/testing, $495,200 in contingencies and $50,000 in bond issuance/net investment.
Board chair Reed Reinbold said one of the concerns he has heard in the public about the referendum concerned the commons area. He said the perception is the commons will only be used as a gathering space, when in fact, it will serve as the cafeteria, as well as a multi use space for community gatherings.
In other news
• Approved the hiring of Alison Christianson as a bus driver and BJ Fisher as assistant girls basketball coach.
• Approved the nomination of Reed Reinbold to serve as a board of directors nominee for Lakes Country Service Cooperative and have his name placed on the ballot to be submitted to LCSC voting members.
• Approved a 5-year agreement with Viking Coca Cola to provide Coca Cola products to the school district.