BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ISD #777
EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY STUDENT'S SUCCESS
Phone 320-843-2710 | Fax 320-843-2262
1400 Montana Avenue, Benson, MN 56215
Email: Suptoffice@benson.k12.mn.us
REFERENDUM PLAN OVERVIEW
Equipping Our Community
Benson Public Schools has become a regional leader in equipping students for college and their future careers. The school district offers the most college level classes and enrichment activities in the area. Those learning opportunities begin at birth with the district’s new child care and expanded preschool programs.
A Community Task Force, representing business, landowners, parents and other community members, met since January to assess the district’s facilities and share their vision for education in our community. The Task Force recommended and received school board approval in May for the district to pursue a bond referendum vote on Aug. 14 to:
Equip our community with collaborative learning environments and sought-out activity spaces that engage and elevate our students and our community.
Plan Focus
To create 21st Century learning environments and provide needed opportunities for students and the community, the Community Task Force presents a plan to:
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Eliminate high-maintenance spaces that unnecessarily drain resources
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Promote efficient use of facilities
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Meet growing needs for child care and preschool
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Expand Career and Technical Education spaces
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Enhance activity spaces
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Improve safety and security
Key Components
This marks the school district’s first major remodel since 1994. The Community Task Force’s comprehensive review led to a $26 million plan that would meet key needs with a minimal tax impact:
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Create dedicated auditorium space and add music room at high school
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Create child care and early learning center at Northside Elementary School
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Add Northside cafeteria, which also provides needed activity and community space
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Remove 90-year-old junior high school and auditorium
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Create a PreK-5 dedicated learning center at Northside and 6-12th grade secondary school
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Develop collaborative learning environments to engage junior and high school students
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Repurpose pool to activity space
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Upgrade secure entries at elementary and high schools
Prepared and paid for by ISD 777