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Emerald Trail Elementary opens in Rosemount; school completed on time, within budget
Summary
District officials reported taking ownership of Emerald Trail Elementary on Aug. 1 to relieve overcrowding in southern District 196; the school replicates East Lake design, seats about 650'700 students, and features geothermal wells and sustainable design, officials said.
District 196 officials told the board that Emerald Trail Elementary (Elementary No. 20) is complete, that the district took ownership of the building Aug. 1 and that the project was finished on time and within budget.
Jeremy Sorensen, director of elementary education, and Chad Ryburn, Emerald Trail's founding principal, presented an informational report and a slide set describing the school's design and community process. The board approved the school name earlier this year after the district collected more than 600 name suggestions and engaged a parent naming committee; the board approved "Emerald Trail Elementary." Sorensen said the project was funded by the 2023 bond referendum.
Sorensen said Emerald Trail's attendance area takes portions from Rosemount Elementary and Red Pine Elementary and also includes Coats and Empire neighborhoods to relieve overcrowding in the Rosemount community. The building is a replicated design of East Lake Elementary by Wold Architects and built by Knutson Construction.
Principal Chad Ryburn described community-engagement activities, staffing and early enrollment. As of July 31 the school reported about 640 enrolled students (the presenters said the figure had risen since), 53 licensed staff and 23 support staff. Officials said building capacity is about 650 to 700 students and they expect to reach projections before Oct. 1.
The design includes sustainable features: presenters said there are 440 geothermal wells beneath the site. Sorensen noted community events held during the build, including a staff picnic and a PTO meet-and-greet that drew more than 400 families. The school plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 8 a.m. and a community dedication and open house in September.
Board members praised the building and the principal's community work; several members described positive impressions after site visits and highlighted walking/trail access and student drop-off design.
No board action was required; the presentation was informational.
