Mahtomedi board approves $28 million facilities project scope, moves toward November special election

Mahtomedi Public School District trustees voted unanimously April 28 to approve a facilities project scope of approximately $28,000,000 and to authorize staff to begin preparations for a special election in November on the package.

The action, moved by Director Donner and seconded by Director Whitson, directs the district to submit the proposed scope to the Minnesota Department of Education for review and to begin community outreach and election preparations. The motion passed unanimously.

The package presented to the board lists improvements intended to address aging infrastructure, safety and security, academic spaces, performing arts and athletic facilities. Key elements described by the presenter include front-entrance and vestibule security work at the district middle school; mechanical and HVAC repairs at Mahtomedi High School; hallway circulation and commons-area remodeling at the high school; districtwide safety and security upgrades at Wildwood, O.H. Anderson and the District Education Center; a proposed "innovation zone" in an underused locker bay at the high school; accessibility and seating upgrades at the Chautauqua Fine Arts Center; choir and band classroom acoustic and accessibility work; a multi-use turf field with lighting; and a weight-room addition and remodel at the high school.

The board and staff framed the vote as the first phase of a multi-year plan. The presenter said the phase-1 scope was informed by a 2021 facilities audit, stakeholder meetings in 2023, resident surveys in 2024 and 2025, and a 2025 feasibility study that examined community interest and philanthropic partnerships. The presenter told the board these steps guided priorities and tax-impact planning.

Board members said they supported the scope because it reflects community input and aligns with the district's strategic plan. Director Jelman said the community has been "very transparent" about priorities and that the scope addresses multiple student needs across the district. Director Donner said the proposal had been distilled from "a very long list of needs" and described turf and weight-room work as addressing student safety and capacity. Director Regan said she supports the plan because it will affect many students and community uses; she encouraged creative partnerships for future phases.

Board members and staff described the proposal as the first phase and repeatedly said additional work (phase 2) could follow depending on partnerships and future bond timing to manage tax impact. The presenter said the district will seek local partnerships and private-philanthropic support as it finalizes community communication and election preparations.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of facilities project scope to prepare for a November special election, amount approximately $28,000,000. Moved: Director Donner. Second: Director Whitson. Vote: unanimous (all voting board members recorded aye). Outcome: approved.

- Approval of donations and grants for March 2025 totaling $9,528.79. Moved: Director Dohman. Second: Director Donner. Vote: unanimous (all voting board members recorded aye). Outcome: approved.

What the vote does and does not do

The board action authorizes submission of the project scope to the Minnesota Department of Education for review and begins preparations and public information work for a November special election. The vote does not itself approve a bond issuance, does not set final tax rates, and does not commit district funds beyond the preparatory and review steps described by staff.

Next steps

Staff said that, if the board maintains the scope, they will file the package with the Minnesota Department of Education, continue outreach to residents and community partners, and develop election materials and timelines. Board members urged public engagement and private partnership development to reduce tax impact and to inform any phase-2 planning.

Ending note

Board members praised the multi-year work that produced the proposal and encouraged residents with ideas for partnerships to engage with the district as it moves toward the special election process.