Historic Hibbing High and other registry schools targeted for preservation aid in Senate file 5‑23

Senate file 5‑23, a bill to provide preservation funding for historic school buildings on the National Register, received testimony focused on Hibbing High School and other registered facilities before the committee laid the bill over as amended for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Senator Farnsworth, the bill sponsor, said the proposal targets schools with unique maintenance burdens because of age and historic‑preservation requirements. "These schools are extremely old, which means they're already much more expensive to operate, much more expensive to heat and cool," Farnsworth said, noting asbestos abatement and restrictions on altering historic exteriors as cost drivers.

Hibbing superintendent Richard Aldrich described the district's 400,000‑square‑foot historic high school—locally called the "Castle in the Woods"—and said preservation status increases labor and materials costs for routine maintenance because the historical society requires higher standards. Retired custodian and local tour guide Bob Carney told the committee the high school is a local tourist destination and cited notable alumni and historical events as reasons the building merits special attention.

Committee action: After testimony and discussion, the bill as amended was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill.

Ending: Witnesses emphasized the cultural value of historic school buildings while asking for targeted support to address higher maintenance and insurability costs associated with historic designation.