Salute to District 15 Retirees Page 7
What’s happening in East Bethel Page 14
JUNE 2017 | VOLUME 24, ISSUE 9
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Independent School District 15 Communications Department St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Andover, Athens Township, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township
District 15 bond referendum failed KATRINNA DODGE
STAFF WRITER
The community voted in a special election on May 23. Both questions regarding the proposed bond referendum did not pass. Question one addressed critical physical facility needs, improving safety, security and accessibility, enhancing learning environments and increasing
academic and activity opportunities by recapturing spaces. Question two addressed building a multi-use activities center anticipated to include a four-station gym, elevated walking track, team rooms, multipurpose area, storage, restrooms, concessions and support spaces. With both questions failing, Independent School District 15 School
Board and administration will regroup. “Our district building needs will not go away,” said Lisa Rahn, ISD 15 Community
Education director. “We anticipate the school board calling a study session to decide how to move forward.” Rahn noted that costs of
proposed renovations are likely to become more expensive as needs and costs of services increase.
Results by Precinct Polls closed at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23 in Independent School District 15 (ISD 15). All three precincts reported results by 8:50 p.m. Question 1 failed, 2502 to 2014 and Question 2 failed, 2779 to 1731. The proposed bond referendum put two questions before ISD 15 voters. Question 1: “Shall the School Board of ISD 15 be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $92,280,000 for acquisition and betterment of school facilities?” Question 2: “If Question 1 is approved, shall the School Board of ISD 15 be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,520,000 for acquisition and betterment of school community activities center addition to the high school?” Question 1 • $92,280,000 Precinct 1: Central Services Center Precinct 2: Lifelong Learning Center Precinct 3: East Bethel Senior Center Absentee Totals Question 2 • $15,520,000 Precinct 1: Central Services Center Precinct 2: Lifelong Learning Center Precinct 3: East Bethel Senior Center Absentee Totals
Yes No 663 860 755 862 505 717 91 63 2014 2502 Yes No 560 965 665 951 428 787 78 76 1731 2779
Results of the special election were canvassed in the manner prescribed by law. The School Board met May 26, 2017 and certified the vote totals.
St. Francis Elementary School students planted seeds and plants in two plots in the St. Francis Community Garden. Students from Julie Wieczorek and Noelle Fields’ kindergarten classes and Susan Hoefs and Kate Hermann’s third-grade classes assisted in designing plots that contained onions, sugar snap peas, green beans, tomatoes, herbs and sunflower plants. Pastor Kevin Coder from St. Francis United Methodist Church and Scott Kruger, SFES dean of students, are working together on this first-ever community garden. Kruger hopes students can watch the garden grow during the last couple weeks of school. Families are encouraged to drive by and see the garden plots this summer. Pictured, student Ryder Mold (right) and Kruger plant seeds.
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Inside Schools in Action..................................... 2 School Board Highlights........................ 8 Community Education......................... 10 Community & Business........................ 13 St. Francis Pioneer Days Schedule...... 17 Sports & Outdoors................................ 24 Meetings, Events & Benefits................. 27 Life........................................................... 28