Round River cooperative outlines new special‑education building concept for Round River North

Round River Special Education Cooperative leaders presented a site and building concept to the Princeton Public School District board and said the cooperative is exploring a new facility to replace the leased Round River North site in Milaca.

Tanya Tacker, executive director of special education for Round River, told the board that Round River North lacks the specialized locking and sensory‑sensitive fire systems used at the cooperative’s other sites and that the current leased building—converted from a grocery store—has limited recreational space and a layout “not conducive to special‑ed settings.” She said the cooperative has long discussed replacing the building and has toured model schools with a consultant, Nexus Solutions, to develop a conceptual plan.

Tracy Wallace, Round River’s finance and HR director, reported a Baird estimate of $14,600,000 for the proposed build, presented as a 20‑year lease‑purchase in which the cooperative would own the building at the end of the term. Wallace said a recent legislative change allowing an additional $65 per ADM for cooperatives helped make the proposal more affordable; the cooperative’s cost‑allocation model showed Princeton’s estimated share would be roughly $346,000 under the current enrollment assumptions. Wallace also said the estimate translates to an increase of about $11.36 per year on a $200,000 home in Princeton, spread over participating districts.

Board members asked for enrollment and transportation details. Round River representatives said Princeton sent about 27 students to cooperative sites last year and that the new building concept could expand capacity and allow some students to remain at a consolidated North site instead of being split across South and East sites. The presenters noted site constraints: the preferred parcel west of Milaca lacks municipal water and would require septic and a well, and any purchase would be subject to land‑use and infrastructure considerations.

No board action was requested that evening. Speakers said the cooperative’s executive council of superintendents must approve the concept before the proposal goes to each member district for formal votes. The presenters outlined a tentative schedule: district approvals around October, design beginning in November, final certifications in December, and possible occupancy in September 2026 or, if delayed, September 2027.

The discussion clarified that any project would require approval from all six member districts and additional presentations (Nexus Solutions and Baird Financial were named as next presenters) before any binding decision. The board did not vote on the concept and asked for more detailed financial and operational information at a future meeting.