The Lake Park-Audubon School Board has set a bond referendum for the district's proposed $22 million building project as part of the Nov. 2 general election.
According to LP-A Superintendent Tim Godfrey, the board will be holding some public information meetings this fall so district voters can have their questions about the project answered.
"That will probably begin in September," he said on Monday, though no meeting dates have yet been scheduled.
If approved, the bond would provide funding for major improvements to the elementary building in Audubon as well as some renovations for the Career and Technical Education wing at the high school in Lake Park.
"Built in 1956, the (elementary) building has gone through three additions and needs significant updates and space to accommodate students and staff," said Godfrey in an Aug. 3 press release. "Some of the classrooms were designed more than 60 years ago and don't support modern education. With increased and growing enrollment, high demand for all-day preschool, and our community's increasing demand for after-school and daycare programs, this building needs a significant renovation and addition."
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Some of the renovations will include widening doorways and hallways for greater handicap accessibility, he said.
"In addition to space and programming needs, the heating, cooling, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical services need to be replaced," Godfrey added. "Technology investments are also needed throughout the building, and the school grounds are in need of repair to provide safe playground areas and additional parking."
Godfrey noted that some renovations to the high school's CTE wing were included in the referendum plan as well.
"Even though the high school building is in good condition, the board and committee identified other educational improvements are needed for the 7th-12th graders," he said. "The proposed plan includes an addition to the career and technical shop to meet student demand for career readiness, plus remodels of the second-floor locker bays and media center to create individual and small group learning spaces."
The average impact on district property owners would be a tax increase of about $9 per month, Godfrey added.
Though the official date for the vote is Nov. 2, early (i.e., absentee) voting will begin Sept. 17.
