Planned Layout for New School (Fergus Falls Public Schools)
Fergus Falls, MN – On Tuesday May 14th, a special election is being held for the Fergus Falls School District to decide whether or not a new elementary school will be built.
If the referendum passes, the school district will be authorized to start building a new 3rd-5th grade elementary school, which is set to cost $54.8 million over the next 22 years.
Fergus Falls Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Drake says that the buildings that this school would replace, Adams and McKinley, no longer fit the services and supports modern day schooling requires, like flexible learning spaces and spaces designed to support students with special needs.
One of the other benefits of the new school is that it would be located next to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, where 3rd-5th grade classes spend part of their day learning about nature and being outdoors.
Drake says that currently, bussing students from Kennedy School to the Prairie Wetlands takes from 35-40 minutes round trip, taking that much time away from school every day.
With a new school across the highway, the commute would be much shorter and would create more symmetry with the Learning Center.
With any major school project or renovation, a major question is how it will impact Fergus Falls residential taxes.
Drake says that for the average $250,000 house, property taxes are projected to be raised $100 a year, which is about $8 a month.
Whether you support the referendum or not, it is important to vote and make your voice heard.
Information on how and where to vote, and more information can be found by clicking here.