3 Ballot Questions Could Bring $410M-Plus to Robbinsdale Schools

The Robbinsdale School Board is moving ahead with plans to put a bonding referendum on the November ballot.

The board voted on June 15 to advance three ballot questions that could fund at least $343 million worth of the district’s future construction and maintenance plans.

It’s been more than 40 years since the district last asked voters to approve a referendum.

Financial woes, including a $20 million accounting error, forced the district to make major staffing cuts and close several schools this year.

Now, if voters approve the significant cash infusion, the district would plan to repurpose Armstrong High School, making Cooper the only high school in the district.

It would also provide $116 million to maintain and repair existing school infrastructure. 

“The referendum gives us the opportunity to build toward a positive future,” said Robbinsdale School Board Member Aviva Hillenbrand. “Just cutting, cutting, cutting — we’re just going to destroy ourselves. There won’t be anything left, people won’t want to come here, they won’t want to send their kids here. And for good reason, right? Because we’ll have cut everything that makes us viable and vibrant.”

The board voted 5-1 to send the referendum to the ballot.

Board Member Caroline Long cast the lone dissenting vote, while Board Member Helen Bassett abstained.

“If there isn’t a bond or the bond doesn’t pass, there isn’t a Vision 2030,” said Superintendent Teri Staloch, referring to the district’s Reimgaine Rdale – Vision 2030 plan.

Ballot Questions

The district expects to put three questions on the ballot.

Question 1 would give the district $343 million, with $116 million dedicated to long-term facilities maintenance.

If approved, Cooper High School would be expanded and unified with the New Hope Learning Center.

Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion, Highview Academy, as well as community and adult programming would be moved to the existing Armstrong High School building.

The district would also renovate Sandburg and Plymouth middle schools, and “complete elementary school projects at Forest, Northport, Meadow Lake, FAIR School Crystal, SEA Olson, and Zachary Lane elementary schools, which would serve as the district’s six elementary school sites.”

Average homeowners could expect to see a $15 monthly increase in their property taxes.

Question 2 would be contingent on the passage of Question 1. 

It would ask voters for another $17 million, or a total of $360 million, and would see Armstrong repurposed as a middle school.

This plan would raise property taxes by $17 per month.

Question 3, which is also contingent on the approval of Question 1, adds another $53 million to the referendum.

If approved, the district would build a new elementary school on the Robbinsdale Middle School site.

Meanwhile, Lakeview Elementary would close.

Related: Robbinsdale District Committee Recommends Closures, One High School Only

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