Hopkins board approves 10‑year long‑term facilities maintenance plan, keeps steady issuance cadence

The Hopkins School Board approved the district’s 10‑year long‑term facilities maintenance (LTFM) plan, a statutory submission that sets a schedule of deferred‑maintenance projects and financing across the district.

District consultants and staff told the board the plan keeps a steady pace of work and financing to avoid sharp spikes in taxpayers’ levy rates and aligns maintenance cycles across facility systems. Staff said this year’s update adds a pavement management revision and removed duplicative fire‑alarm replacements where a potential bond project would require a new system by code.

Status of current work: The district reported all Bond‑24 projects (the two‑year cycle that includes 2025–26 work) have been designed and bid and came in on or under budget. Work planned for this summer includes major phases at Hopkins High School and site work at the district’s bus garage.

Financial framing: Consulting presenters said the LTFM plan assumes a mix of pay‑as‑you‑go levy dollars and bond sales that can be staged over multiple years so the district does not levy immediately for full construction costs and to reduce short‑term tax impacts. The presentation reiterated that long‑term facility maintenance funding is distinct from the district’s operating budget.

Board action: The board approved the LTFM plan by roll call (7–0).

Speakers and materials presented: The district’s business services team and SiteLogic consultants presented the plan and the capital schedule to the board. The plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education as required by July 31.