The Pine City School Board voted to go out for a $36.5 million facility referendum election in August at a special meeting that began on Tuesday and continued Wednesday.
The district's proposed $42.95 million referendum in May failed by 331 votes.
The new proposal focuses on the entirety of the elementary school plan, long-term facility maintenance at the high school, and safe-and-secure entrances at both the high school and elementary school.
The maintenance projects at the high school include roofing and siding, and HVAC control and electrical panel replacements.
Notably, the Alternative Learning Center project that has featured on both previous Pine City referendum ballots in February and May was removed.
Board chair James Foster said the district's previous referendum attempts followed the results of the community survey, and a "strong argument" could be made that the district was asking for too much.
Foster also said the lease for the Alternative Learning Center to stay at the Civic Center was extended through the 2025-2026 school year.
According to architect Troy Miller, the proposed projects would take an additional year and cost approximately $1.5 million more if the referendum is not passed in August.
Bord member Lezlie Sauter said the district is "decades behind" in its need for a safe and secure entrance at its schools.
Foster added that he doesn't want the district to piecemeal referendum projects, and that the $36.5 million proposal fits the board's goal of fiscal responsibility.
This is sickening. The people spoke and you are not listening to us. It's time to replace the current board members and go with ones that understand the financial impact this has on us conservative residents.
No means no! We have a lot of people who are struggling now a days to make ends meat! We don’t need to have another burden thrown on our backs! We shouldn’t be taxed out of our homes that we worked so hard to afford!
Ask Walz for the money. Didn’t he give away billions that he overcharged taxpayers to MN education? Perhaps some of that surplus should have been put towards building upgrades.
For heavens sake, the city's residents have said no twice. Take our answer. No means no.
Has a school district ever had 3 referendum votes in the same year before? What a waste of money, come back with a better option