$63 million referendum only three weeks away for Blue Earth Area Schools community

BLUE EARTH, Minn. (KEYC) - A more than $63 million dollar referendum is only 3 weeks away for the Blue Earth Area Schools community and the district feels confident that voters might approve its request.

Superintendent Mandy Fletcher said that the district’s Kindergarten through 7th grade building is almost 100 years old, and as it is getting older, it is dealing with frequently broken pipes, a leaking watermain and several other pieces of failing infrastructure that are in need of repair.

The district estimates that the cost of those repairs could be around $55 million, and it would still need more money to keep updating and expanding facilities to meet its current needs, so it decided to once again hold referendum to build a new facility for $63 million.

According to the district’s website it would build a new K-6 building next to its high school and move 7th grade classes into the high school building.

If voters approve the plan, the district has a second question on the ballot, to ask voters for $10 million to repair or replace the high school HVAC system and build a new multipurpose room at the proposed elementary school.

Superintendent Fletcher said the campaign for this proposal has been intense, with the district visiting city councils in Blue Earth, Frost, Winnebago, Delavan and Elmore at least twice, as well as the county commissioners, and informal meetings like coffee groups, ministerial groups and more.

“The feeling that I’m getting is that our community is much more informed, much more educated and much more aware of the reality of our facilities and what we’re dealing with,” Fletcher said.

Despite the increased awareness, opinions remain mixed about the proposal for some community members.

Kiera Myer, a local mother in Blue Earth whose kids aren’t old enough for elementary school yet, said she is worried about moving the elementary school and its playground out of the city center.

“When we get rid of that school, what’s that going to look like for a safe space for kids to travel to within city limits?” Myer said.

Pam Armon, a teacher who worked at the district for 29 years, is in support of the plan.

“It is really needed to get a new school. You can fix the old over and over, but we need to start fresh and get it right,” Armon said.

For homeowners with a property priced around $300,000, the district expects the annual tax impact to be around $371.95.

Ahead of the August 11 primary community members can stop by the district’s booth in the exhibition hall next to the 4-H building at the Faribault County Fair from July 22 to July 25 to learn more about referendum and its potential impact.

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