Jeff Drake at Lincoln School Open House in 2021
Fergus Falls, MN – Fergus Falls School District Superintendent Jeff Drake will be answering the public’s questions regarding the district at tonight’s Public Forum in the Roosevelt Education Center at 6:30.
Tonight’s Public Forum is particularly noteworthy due to it being the last one before the May 14th Special Election that will decide on if a new 3rd through 5th grade school is built.
The proposed plan is to develop a plot of land near the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center into a new elementary school, and is set to cost $54.8 million.
In regards to how that plan would affect people’s taxes, Drake says, “If this were to pass, it would result in a $100 annual increase to taxes. That’s $8 a month or 27 cents a day. The Board and our financial advisor really worked hard to make this affordable for folks, and really try to reduce that tax impact.”
One of the reasons for a new school being located next to the Prairie Wetlands is for more convenient access for the school’s unique Prairie Science Class, where students spend part of their day learning about nature at the Learning Center.
Drake says that the increased synergy with the Prairie Wetlands that would be created by moving students closer to it will help students with both their academics and their mental health.
He says, “There’s a lot of research out there that shows that outdoor education is just a healthy way for kids to learn, both emotionally, but also academically. They just thrive in that environment and we’ve got some really nice data that shows how the students were benefitting from that Prairie Science Class.”
All are welcome to the Public Forum to learn more and voice their opinions.
The event is taking place in the Community Education area within the Roosevelt Education Center at 6:30 tonight.