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ISD 728 board directs staff to prepare November 3, 2026 referendum for new high school and facilities package
Summary
At a May 26 special meeting the ISD 728 school board voted to authorize administration to prepare ballot language, resolutions and financial materials for a November 3, 2026 bond referendum to fund a proposed new high school and related facilities projects; board members were divided over tax impacts and timing.
The ISD 728 school board voted May 26 to direct administration to prepare materials for a November 3, 2026 referendum on a bond package that would fund a proposed new high school and other facility projects.
The chair summarized the district’s two-year facilities review and told the board the facilities task force’s top recommendation was to build a new high school. The chair said the task force ‘‘went over all these solutions’’ and that redistricting had been considered but judged to be a short-term, painful fix. The chair also summarized the district survey results, saying community support ranged ‘‘somewhere between 46 and 53%’’ and that an initial 51.8% approval estimate dropped to about 47% after tax impacts were included.
Why it matters: board members said the district is experiencing growth and crowding in southern schools, and that delaying a build risks higher construction costs from inflation. Opponents warned the tax burden in some municipalities remains high and argued the district should reconsider the plan for a year.
Board discussion focused on trade-offs: one member noted that holding the referendum on a general election reduces district election costs and urged trusting voters to choose; another member said support in parts of the district (Zimmerman, Elk River, Leavonia) fell well below 50% and announced plans to vote against sending the measure to voters. Staff described temporary short-term options (boundary adjustments, repurposing spaces) but said many require board direction before staff will pursue detailed plans.
The motion to authorize administration to proceed with referendum preparations — including ballot language, resolutions, financial information and additional materials — was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries." The motion record on the agenda listed Director Steinreer as mover and Director Fber as second.
Next steps: the chair said staff will return with a recommended package for the board to vote to send to the ballot at a July 13 meeting, with an intervening June 22 meeting for further public input.
