Habitat for Humanity pitches school partnership to Little Falls board to build homes, give students CTE experience

At the Jan. 6 meeting of the Little Falls Community Schools Board of Education, representatives of the Morrison County Habitat for Humanity described a potential partnership with the district that would combine Habitat build projects with hands-on student experience in construction trades.

The presentation was given by Kathy Lang, executive director of the Morrison County Habitat for Humanity, and board member Bill Osberg. Eric Bublak, the district’s industrial-technology teacher, and district staff discussed how student participation could be organized. Board members indicated interest but took no formal action.

Why it matters: the proposal would create local career-technical education (CTE) opportunities for students — including the chance to work alongside volunteer subcontractors and Habitat’s construction managers — while also increasing the community’s affordable housing stock. The partnership could create a nearby build site adjacent to the high school, reduce transportation barriers for student participation, and unlock state and nonprofit funding targeted to school-affiliate projects.

What Habitat presented - Habitat for Humanity background: Morrison County Habitat has built about 25 homes since its first house in 1999 (COVID interrupted some activity). The affiliate described its partner-family model (families selected and given affordable mortgages; families contribute "sweat equity," typically 300 hours) and noted fundraising sources such as grants, site loans and corporate/private donations. - Student involvement: The affiliate proposed multiple ways for students to participate: in-shop fabrication of cabinets and trim; finishing work at the school woodshop; onsite volunteer days; and structured work through OJT (on-the-job training) and Minnesota SEP (School to Employment Program) so students under 18 could participate with appropriate liability coverage and pay structures. Eric Bublak said a recent career-interest survey found 65 high-school students had indicated interest in construction-related careers, providing a potential pool of participants. - Site opportunity: District staff identified a parcel south of the high school (High School Loop Drive area) that district records indicate could be parceled into as many as eight lots. Staff said the proximity would remove bussing barriers and allow easier daily access for students. - Funding and costs: Habitat described multiple financing avenues: USDA loan financing historically used for some homes, Minnesota Housing programs including state housing tax-credit contributions, Habitat Minnesota funding (affiliate assistance), possible Tier 2 city grants and statewide affordable-housing aid. Estimated infrastructure work (cul-de-sac, sewer/water access) for the parcel was discussed at roughly $360,000; staff emphasized that infrastructure cost would be pursued through city/state funding rather than direct district capital investment. Habitat also described a recent county grant (about $112,000) used for home repairs for seniors (a separate program to keep people in homes). - Supervision and liability considerations: Board members asked who would supervise students on sites and who would carry liability. Habitat said each build hires a construction manager to supervise volunteers; under models where students are employees through Minnesota SEP or an OJT arrangement, the employer/subcontractor carries liability and workplace insurance. The district said it would inquire further about coverage and noted student participation models would be structured to comply with age, insurance and contractor requirements.

Discussion highlights and district perspective - Logistics and program models: Eric Bublak outlined how high-school shop classes could fabricate cabinetry, vanities or trim in the school woodshop for later installation, reducing the need to bus large groups of students to a jobsite every day. He also described OJT and SEP pathways that allow students younger than 18 to work with appropriate employer arrangements. - Local contractor interest: District staff said local contractors expressed interest in teaching trade skills and using the program as a hiring pipeline for local small businesses. - Equity and inclusion: The board raised questions about whether the district would need to donate land; Habitat said they expect to purchase lots rather than ask for land donations and are seeking partnership opportunities rather than a land gift. Habitat noted possibilities for one house to be used by a district transition program, but no decisions were made. - No vote taken: The board received information and directed staff to continue exploring logistics, funding and liability details. Several board members said the concept merited continued conversation and review by the facilities and finance task forces.

Ending: Board members thanked Habitat representatives and staff. The district did not vote on a partnership or land disposition at the meeting; staff and Habitat agreed to continue planning and to pursue potential grant and city funding for infrastructure if the partnership moves forward.