Board approves Lake Elmo elementary bid package and several high-school facility projects totaling about $52.7 million

The Stillwater Area Public Schools Board on Tuesday approved multiple construction and maintenance contracts, including a $49,595,559.30 bid package for the new Lake Elmo Elementary School and several long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) projects at the high school.

Nut graf: The board approved the Lake Elmo construction package, track resurfacing and press-box replacement at Pony Stadium, and a high-school combined bond/LTFM package that includes an 800-square-foot main-entry addition and interior replacements. Administrators said the bids align with project budgets and timelines for fall 2026 openings and summer maintenance windows.

The Lake Elmo package: District staff said bids for the Lake Elmo Elementary School’s remaining work scopes totaled $49,595,559.30 and fit the district’s bond budget and schedule for opening in fall 2026. The district described its “best-value” procurement for critical scopes, where price accounted for 50 percent of the score and interviews/constructability evaluations the other 50 percent; staff said they interviewed the three lowest bidders on nine critical work scopes to assess capacity, schedule and product choices.

High-school LTFM projects: The board approved a long-term facility maintenance contract to replace the high-school track. Two low bids were accepted for separate work scopes: site/paving (Batumas Roadways, Mendota Heights) at $146,850 and the track surface (Upper Midwest Athletic Construction, Andover) at $228,404; total LTFM funding for that project is $375,254. Trustees also approved a press-box replacement (seating and athletic facility vendor bid $309,824) and associated electrical work (B & B Electric, Hudson, Wis., $254,800). District staff said the press box replacement will move the stadium sound system back to the press box and that a sound study is planned.

High-school addition and renovations: The board approved a combined bond/LTFM package for the high school totaling $2,436,154. Bond funds will pay for an approximately 800-square-foot main-entry addition to improve circulation and security; LTFM funds will cover like-for-like replacements in the special-education medically complex classroom area, media center workroom, replacement and venting for a clay kiln, and kitchen flooring in the Pony Market. Staff said the main-entry addition will start before the school year ends so it can be complete for next fall and that the kiln replacement will allow the program to resume this summer.

All measures were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition during the meeting and were described by staff as consistent with bond budgets and facility-maintenance funding parameters. Board members thanked taxpayers for supporting the bond and LTFM levies and noted the projects are intended to improve safety, operations and program offerings.

Ending: The district will move forward with contracting and scheduling. Staff said the Lake Elmo award keeps the project on the district’s timeline for occupancy in fall 2026 and that the high-school projects are scheduled to avoid athletic seasons and minimize classroom disruption.