Osseo Schools Sending $223 Million Bonding Request to Voters
The Osseo School Board moved ahead this week with plans to send a $223 million bonding request to voters this fall.
If approved, the bond will fund the district’s construction and remodeling plans into the future.
Voters will decide the fate of the bond on Nov. 7.
“We’re at a critical moment in the history of our school district when it comes to our facilities, sort of a crossroads because your decision moving forward will really set the course for maybe the next 20 years,” said Superintendent Cory McIntyre.
Osseo Area Schools Superintendent Cory McIntyre speaks to the school board on May 23.
Projects Funded by Bonding
If approved, the bond could fund construction of a new elementary school in northwestern Maple Grove. School district officials previously estimated the cost of that school at $61 million.
The district also anticipates expanding Maple Grove Senior High School.
Across the district, schools would see security and classroom updates. All district high schools would have career and technical classroom space renovations.
Media centers and libraries would also be updated, while outdoor learning spaces would be added at elementary and middle schools.
According to district officials, if the bond doesn’t pass, classrooms in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Osseo will likely become overcrowded.
“We would have buildings in parts of our district that would nearly double in size,” McIntyre said.
School boundary changes would also be likely across the district.
McIntyre said that 18,000 students would be impacted by these boundary changes.
Board Support
The board largely supported the proposal.
“The totality of my time on this board has really been working toward this need,” said Board Member Tanya Simons. “Those decisions that we’ve already made require this additional investment to match that.”
Board Member Tamara Grady said she remained skeptical about approving the plan.
“I’ve got to admit, I still have concerns about the tax burden on our district, the fiscal responsibility of moving forward with this,” she said.
The board ultimately decided to leave the decision up to the district’s voters.
“Those are for me decisions that are personal for scholars and families, and so for me just as a board member and moving this forward, I wouldn’t want to be the one to make such a personal decision for families,” said Board Member Thomas Brooks.
The bonding request follows a voter-approved levy request last year.
See also: Osseo School Board Mulls $225M Referendum
Maple Grove Senior High School
Osseo Senior High School
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