Lakeville Public School District proposes $139.6 million bond to expand middle schools; vote May 12

The Lakeville Public School District is asking voters to approve a $139,600,000 bond referendum to expand and modernize facilities at its three middle schools, board and school leaders said at a district briefing.

Board Chair Amber Cameron opened the session by saying the proposal is focused on buildings, not operations: "Bonds are for building and levies are for learning," she said, framing the bond as a targeted infrastructure request rather than an ongoing levy.

District and school leaders said enrollment growth and new housing have pushed middle‑school capacity above the district's preferred thresholds and reduced common spaces that students use for lunch, physical education and specialist classes. "We've seen higher class sizes," Jason Bakke, principal of Century Middle School, said. "Sometimes it can even feel unsafe for our students," he added, describing cramped classrooms, crowded hallways and long cafeteria lines that can leave some students with only seven or eight minutes to eat.

Joshua Alexander, principal at Maguire, said the district is proposing additions at all three middle schools to expand cafeteria service lines and add classroom and special‑education space. "We're looking at a $139,600,000 going out to our voters," he said. Officials and principals said the work would include larger classrooms, updated furniture and more equitable specialist and STEM spaces across sites; Kenwood Trail Middle School leaders said adding a gym there is a priority.

Principals detailed how buildings differ across the district. Kelly McDermott, principal at Kenwood Trail, said Kenwood operates with one gym split by a divider and often runs five classes at once in that space, limiting curricular options and creating scheduling strain. Alexander said Maguire's last major renovation was in 1993 and that the building lacks modern breakout and flexible learning spaces.

Board members pointed to enrollment figures and housing growth as the primary drivers. Matt Swanson, a board member, said the district's tax‑impact estimate — based on the current tax base — would be about $14 per month for a $500,000 home over a 20‑year bonding term, and that the per‑household cost would decline as the community grows. He directed listeners to the district's voter information page (isd194.org/vote) and the online calculator for personalized estimates.

Officials warned of consequences if the bond fails. Bakke said class sizes and space pressures will continue to grow and that some course and extracurricular options could be constrained. Board members noted the district recently passed a renewal capital projects levy (no new taxes) and emphasized fiscal restraint, saying the bond request is for needed infrastructure rather than "big shiny" additions.

The district set the bond referendum election for May 12, with early voting available March 27–May 11 and polling hours on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officials encouraged residents to review the detailed proposals on the district website before voting.

No formal vote on the bond occurred at the briefing; the meeting was an informational session with district board members and the three middle‑school principals.