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Rushford-Peterson packet shows MDE positive review for proposed school bond; informational meetings set
Summary
The Rushford-Peterson School Board packet included a Minnesota Department of Education positive review of a proposed PK–12 facility bond proposal and scheduled three public informational meetings ahead of a Feb. 10, 2026 referendum; the packet lists absentee-ballot board nominees and detailed cost estimates.
The Rushford-Peterson School Board packet for its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting included a Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Review and Comment statement that describes a proposed single-question February 10, 2026 bond referendum and offers a positive departmental review.
The MDE letter, signed by Commissioner Willie L. Jett II and dated Oct. 15, 2025, said the department’s analysis supports proceeding to the next steps required by statute and noted that, as of the letter date, no public comments had been filed with MDE on the proposal. The packet lists three district-hosted informational sessions for voters: Dec. 17, 2025, Jan. 7, 2026, and Jan. 21, 2026, all at 7 p.m. at the school.
Why it matters: The proposal would authorize new bonding for major additions and upgrades to the district’s PK–12 facility; if voters approve a bond question the district will proceed to sell bonds and (if eligible) may seek debt service equalization aid under Minnesota law.
What the packet says: The district’s project narrative presented to MDE describes additions — a two-station gym with bleacher seating for 400, daycare space, elementary music/flex space, high school classrooms, an expanded lobby, and a replacement outbuilding — plus site work, lighting and security upgrades, and contingencies. The packet lists a district request for $24.015 million in bonding authority and, in the same review materials, includes a detailed line-item project cost table that sums to $24,297,247 (project components and other costs). The packet also estimates that the additions would raise annual operating costs by about $120,000.
Election administration: The packet contained a draft resolution establishing an Absentee Ballot Board under Minn. Stat. §203B.121 and named four preliminary appointees: Megan Boyum (head judge), Toni Oian, Jodi Peters and Lakyn Rasmussen. The board packet also lists potential election judges. The district’s Superintendent Ben Bernard and staff included these items to ensure the election process and statutory timelines are observed.
Next steps: MDE’s review and comment is a required procedural step under Minn. Stat. §123B.71; the district must publish a summary in the legal newspaper and follow timing rules (48–70 days prior to a referendum) and discuss the review prior to bond sale. The district’s informational meetings are scheduled to precede the February referendum date listed in the packet. If voters approve the question, the district would proceed with bond sale and any applicable state aid processes.
The meeting packet presents the MDE review and the referendum materials; the district had not recorded a final board vote on the bond question in the Dec. 15 packet materials.
