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Lakeville board hears MDE 'review and comment' on construction plan; district reminds voters of May 12 referendum
Summary
The Lakeville Area Schools board was told the Minnesota Department of Education issued a positive "review and comment" on the district's proposed school construction projects; administrators said the review confirms compliance but that MDE will conduct further review if the $139.6 million bond vote is successful, and officials reminded residents to use early voting or vote on May 12.
The Lakeville Area Schools board on April 14 reviewed a Minnesota Department of Education "review and comment" letter tied to the district's proposed school construction projects and was told the state found no issues that would block the plans.
Chair Amber Cameron opened the work session by calling attention to the document in the board packet and asking Superintendent Michael Baumann to clarify procedural implications. Baumann said the MDE letter is a positive step in the process but not the final regulatory review: if voters approve the district's $139.6 million referendum, the district will still submit refined project plans to MDE for an additional review to confirm details fit within the financial and statutory parameters outlined to voters.
"We did receive a positive review from MDE," Baumann said, noting that MDE's role is to "validate, confirm or deny any particular issues" that could cause a problem. He added that MDE will review the refined plan after a successful bond vote to confirm compliance with the financial limits presented to the public.
Chair Cameron also used the briefing to remind the public that early voting is available at the District Office and that election day for the referendum is May 12. "Get out and vote," she said, directing voters to district materials and staff or board members if they have questions about the projects.
The presentation to the board did not include a motion or formal vote on the review-and-comment document; administrators described the MDE letter as an informational requirement that does not itself require board action. The board directed staff to continue coordinating with MDE and to bring any subsequent refinements or questions back to the board for consideration at the appropriate time.
Next steps indicated by staff included finalizing project plans in the event of a positive referendum result and preparing the required follow-up submittals to MDE.
