What Happens Next?

You may wonder...what happens next?

The School Board will meet on Monday September 29 at 8:00pm.  The School Board will canvass the results of the election.  I am unsure what other agenda items are slotted for that evening, but I would suspect that there will be discussion about the project.

The project now moves onto the "Design Phase" where a group of representatives/stakeholders will join together in a working committee to advance this project forward.  The anticipated start date of renovation would be at the release of school for summer vacation.

Nearly 2/3 of Minto School District Voters Support Bond Referendum

What an impressive turnout of voters yesterday for the Minto School Bond Referendum.  

393 voters...that is amazing!

The results were 240 in favor of the project while 137 rejected the project.  This is a significant majority (64%) of citizens supporting this project.  Thank you to the citizens of Minto School District for supporting the school and the town.  

Several articles have been posted and published related to this issue.

From Walsh County Daily News

From the Grand Forks Herald

Minto, N.D., voters OK $5.8 million school expansion

By Kevin Bonham on Sep 23, 2014 at 9:27 p.m.

Voters in the Minto (N.D.) School District approved a $5.8 million school expansion and renovation project Tuesday.

The final vote was 240 in favor of the proposal and 137 against, according to Superintendent Linda Lutovsky.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. in the high school library. A 60 percent majority was required for the referendum to pass.

“We’re all very pleased the community supported us in moving forward with the project,” Lutovsky said after the votes were counted.

The main reason for the project is to address lack of space in a district with near-record enrollment and student population projections that indicate it will stay that way for at least the next decade, according to Lutovsky.

K-12 enrollment of 234 this fall is just short of the record 238 set in 2004-05. Enrollment projections indicate the student population will remain near that level or grow over the next decade.

Open enrollment gains over the past decade have netted the district an average net increase of 13 students annually, including 16 per year over the past three years.

Under the proposal, the project would include a 5,500-square-foot addition to the high school and remodeling of the elementary and junior high wings. The facilities also are in need of major renovations to address heating and ventilation problems and other structural concerns, according to Lutovsky.

The elementary school was built in 1955, the junior high addition in 1960, and the high school wing was added in 1969.

Minto, a city of 600, is located in Walsh County, about 30 miles north of Grand Forks.

From WDAZ

Minto voters approve school expansion

By WDAZ on Sep 23, 2014 at 9:06 p.m.

Voters in Minto decided on a proposed $5.8 million school expansion and remodeling project.  Hundreds turned out on Tuesday at Minto High School to cast their ballots.

With K-12 enrollment just short of a record, more school space is needed.  The proposed mill levy would include an addition to the high school and remodeling the elementary and junior high school wings.

Grand Forks Herald Article

Voters casting ballots Tuesday for Minto school project

By Kevin Bonham on Sep 22, 2014 at 1:48 p.m.

Voters in the Minto,N.D., School District are deciding the fate of a proposed $5.8 million school expansion and renovation project on Tuesday.

Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the high school library. A 60-percent majority is required for the referendum to pass.

The main reason for the project is to address lack of space in a district with near-record enrollment and student population projections indicating it will stay that way for at least the next decade, according to Superintendent Linda Lutovsky.

K-12 enrollment of 234 this fall is just short of the record 238 set in 2004-05. Enrollment projections indicate the student population will remain near that level or grow over the next decade.

Open enrollment gains over the past decade have netted the district an average net increase of 13 students annually, including 16 per year over the past three years.

If approved, the proposed property tax increase would cost the owner of a $50,000 house an extra $166.50 annually and the owner of a $100,000 house an extra $333. Agricultural landowners would see tax increases of about $3.50 to about $5 per acre. The amounts vary by township, depending on agricultural production and other factors.

Major work planned, if the mill levy is approved, includes a 5,500-square-foot addition to the high school and remodeling of the elementary and junior high wings. The facilities also are in need of major renovations to address heating and ventilation problems and other structural issues, according to Lutovsky.

The elementary school was built in 1955; the junior high addition in 1960; and the high school wing added in 1969.

Minto, a city of 600, is located in Walsh County, about 30 miles north of Grand Forks.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/voters-casting-ballots-tuesday-minto-school-project

Will My Taxes Double?

In a recent article in the Walsh County Record it was stated, "If the bond referendum passes, property owners in the district will see their taxes more than double what they paid last year..."
That statement is misleading.
The school portion of property owners' taxes will increase by that amount but NOT your entire property tax bill.

Campaigning on Election Day

Is it legal to campaign on Election Day?

Yes. Recently this law was changed to allow campaigning on Election Day in North Dakota. It was determined that not allowing campaigning was a violation of our constitional right to freedom of speech. The one restriction that exists is that campaigning cannot take place within 100 feet of polling location.

Bring Your Driver's License

Vote TODAY at the Minto High School Library

9:00am-7:00pm

Vote YES and YES

Remember to bring your Driver's License

Vote YES and YES Today!

MINTO SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTIONS

Question #1

Shall Minto Public School District No. 20 of Walsh County, North Dakota, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed $5,800,000 for the purpose of providing funds, together with any other funds available, to renovate, remodel and reconstruct the school building; to construct an addition to the school building for classrooms; and to otherwise improve and renovate school property.

Yes  _______

No   _______

Question #2

Shall the debt limit of Minto Public School District No. 20 of Walsh County, North Dakota, be increased five percent (5%) on the assessed value of the taxable property of the School District beyond the five percent (5%) limit of indebtedness affixed by the Constitution:

For Increasing the Limit of the Indebtedness (Yes) ____

Against Increasing the Limit of Indebtedness (No) _____

Voter Qualifications

In order to vote in North Dakota, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen;
• At least 18 years old on the day of election;
• A resident of North Dakota; and
• A resident in the precinct for 30 days preceding the election; and
• Able to provide a driver’s license, non-driver identification card or other approved form of identification.

Preschool

Will the Minto School Building Project include a preschool?

The School Building Project would allow for space in the elementary wing (formerly junior high wing) for a preschool.

Specific plans to design and implement a preschool have not been made.  However preschool has been a topic on the School Board agenda in the past.  At the May 19, 2014 School Board meeting preschool was discussed (including space, scheduling, staffing, revenue sources and costs).  The School Board approved for an extra elementary teacher to be hired who would assist with Tier Learning, but specified that this teacher must have a preschool credential.

Public School preschool programs are not currently required in ND, but there are indications that the ND State Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is moving in this direction.  

• The DPI has created an office for early child care and education.  
• Financial grants are being made available for educators and districts.  
• Training is scheduled to provide districts information about requirements and standards for pre-kindergarten programs.

Of the 179 school districts in North Dakota 69 districts (39%) have received approval for a grade organization that includes pre-kindergarten.  The following public schools in our area have been approved for a preschool program.

North Border -Walhalla

Park River

Larimore

Cavalier

St. Thomas

Drayton

Manvel

Edmore

Fordville-Lankin

Midway

Valley-Edinburg

Grafton

North Border - Neche

Having a preschool program in the Minto Elementary School is very important to serve families in our area.  If a family must go to another school to receive these early learner services they could move all their children to that school decreasing Minto's school enrollment.

The School Board has approved a position for preschool.  The DPI is providing financial support and training.  The only thing holding a preschool program in Minto Elementary School back is SPACE.

Preschool and Pre-kindergarten have been used interchangeably in this post.

Vote Tomorrow

Remember to Vote 

YES & YES 

Tomorrow

Minto High School Library

9:00am-7:00pm

Strong Supporters of Our Town-Our School-Our Responsibility

Calculating Tax Impact

Property taxes are one of the major financial sources of supporting schools.  The Minto School Bond Referendum will increase property tax by 74 mills for a total of $5.8 million. 

You can calculate your property tax impact by using the following formula.

Calculating Tax Impact in Minto School District by an Increase of 74 Mills

Residential Home

1. Take the Market Value (determined by assessor) of a residential property
2. Divide Market Value by 2 to determine Assessed Value
3. Multiply the Assessed Value by 9% to determine the Taxable Value
4. Multiply the Taxable Value by the number of mills
5. Divide by 1000

 For Example:

1. A Home has a Market Value of $150,000.
2. Divide by 2=$75,000 (Assessed Value)
3. Multiply Assessed Value by 9%: $75,000 x 9% = $6,750 (Taxable Value)
4. Multiply by 74 (Mill Increase): $6750 x 74 = 499,500
5. Divide by 1000: 49, 950 /1000 = $499.50
6. Therefore this residential property would have a $499.50 additional tax per year.

Agricultural Land

1.     Take the Productivity Value of an average acre of farm land
2.        Divide Productivity Value by 2 to get the Assessed Value
3.     Multiply the Assessed Value by 10% to get the Taxable Value
4.     Multiply the Taxable Value by the number of mills
5.     Divide by 1000.

 For Example:

1.   Average Productivity Value in Walsh County is $843.58 per acre
2.   $843.58 divided by 2 = $421.79 (Assessed Value)
3.    Multiply Assessed Value by 10% = 42.179 (Taxable Value)
4.    Multiply Taxable Value  by 74 mill increase: 3121.246
5.    Divide by 1000: 3121.246/1000 = $3.12 per acre
6.    Therefore an average of $3.12 per acre tax increase

Commercial Property

Is calculated in the same was as residential property however the Assessed Value is multiplied by 10% rather than 9% to get Taxable Value.


*Source: Understanding School Finance for North Dakota P-12 Schools

Is Minto School at Risk of Closing?

In a previous post I shared information about projected enrollment.  Today I would like to share what Minto School's historical enrollment has been for the last 11 years.  By looking at the chart below you can see that the enrollment has remained steady over the last decade.

In 2004-2005 school year enrollment was 238.

The current school year enrollment is 231.

For the statistically minded:

The Mean (average) for the past eleven years has been 226 students.

The Median for the past eleven years has been 223 students.

The lowest enrollment year was 211 in 2007-2008 school year.  The highest enrollment was 239 in 2012-2013. Therefore the Range is 28.

In a commentary provided by Dr. Paul Stremick he notes, "That there are 177 operating school districts in the state of North Dakota.  Based on average daily attendance Minto school’s enrollment ranks 85^th out of the 177 which is very close to the middle.  In the past, the state of ND offered financial incentives for consolidation.  It no longer does so.  In the past, efforts from the legislature have been unsuccessful to close K-8 school district.  This would lead me to believe the state will never be able to force consolidation."  

Dr. Paul Stremick is the Superintendent of North Border School District.  He played an instrumental role in shaping the state school funding formula during 2007 in response to Williston Public Schools v. the State of North Dakota and continues to have an active presence in state legislative discussions related to school finance.  He also teaches school finance to school administrators for the University of North Dakota.

Data obtained from the Minto Public School

Why Not a New School Building?

If the school building is in such disrepair why isn't the school board promoting the building of a new school?

1.  The building while outdated and all the infrastructure (windows, doors, roofing, mechanical, electrical, etc.) completely worn out, is a structurally sound building.  The total square footage of the current building is roughly 47,500 sq. ft.  To replace that square footage at today's average construction cost would be in excess of an estimated $10,000,000.  This would not include demolition costs of the current structure.  The current structure would also have to have all asbestos abated and there would be little salvage value to existing systems.

2.  The current structure does not meet space needs for early and special needs learners.  It has been determined that an additional  5,500 sq. ft. to the existing facility will meet current educational needs and comply with more modern standards.  Any new structure would need to be built with that added square footage in mind.

3.  As you can see from above issues.  The total cost to build a new school in Minto would be significantly more than the renovation plan proposed.  Under current state statute, the school would not be able to borrow the funds needed to build new.  $5.8 million is the maximum amount of money that the school can levy.    

An Essay Supporting the Need for Additional Space in Schools

The Ever Increasing Burden on America’s Public Schools

BY JAMIE ROBERT VOLLMER

America’s public schools can be traced back to the year 1640. The Massachusetts Puritans established schools to: 1) Teach basic reading, some writing and arithmetic skills, and 2) Cultivate values that serve a democratic society (some history and civics implied).

The founders of these schools assumed that families and churches bore the major responsibility for raising a child. Gradually, science and geography were added, but the curriculum was limited and remained focused for 260 years.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, however, politicians, academics, members of the clergy, and business leaders saw public schools as a logical site for the assimilation of immigrants and the social engineering of the citizens—and workers—of the new industrial age. They began to expand the curriculum and assign additional duties. That trend has accelerated ever since.

From 1900 to 1910, we shifted to our public schools responsibilities related to
• Nutrition
• Immunization
• Health (Activities in the health arena multiply every year.)

From 1910 to 1930, we added
• Physical education (including organized athletics)
• The Practical Arts/Domestic Science/Home economics (including sewing and cooking)
• Vocational education (including industrial and agricultural education)
• Mandated school transportation

In the 1940s, we added
• Business education (including typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping)
• Art and music
• Speech and drama
• Half-day kindergarten
• School lunch programs (We take this for granted today, but it was a huge step to shift to the schools the job of feeding America’s children one third of their daily meals.)

In the 1950s, we added
• Expanded science and math education
• Safety education
• Driver’s education
• Expanded music and art education
• Stronger foreign language requirements
• Sex education (Topics continue to escalate.)

In the 1960s, we added
• Advanced Placement programs
• Head Start
• Title I
• Adult education
• Consumer education (purchasing resources, rights and responsibilities)
• Career education (occupational options, entry level skill requirements)
• Peace, leisure, and recreation education [Loved those sixties.]

In the 1970s, the breakup of the American family accelerated, and we added
• Drug and alcohol abuse education
• Parenting education (techniques and tools for healthy parenting)
• Behavior adjustment classes (including classroom and communication skills)
• Character education
• Special education (mandated by federal government)
• Title IX programs (greatly expanded athletic programs for girls)
• Environmental education
• Women’s studies
• African-American heritage education
• School breakfast programs (Now some schools feed America’s children two-thirds of their daily meals throughout the school year and all summer. Sadly, these are the only decent meals some children receive.)

In the 1980s, the floodgates opened, and we added
• Keyboarding and computer education
• Global education
• Multicultural/Ethnic education
• Nonsexist education
• English-as-a-second-language and bilingual education
• Teen pregnancy awareness
• Hispanic heritage education
• Early childhood education
• Jump Start, Early Start, Even Start, and Prime Start
• Full-day kindergarten
• Preschool programs for children at risk
• After-school programs for children of working parents
• Alternative education in all its forms
• Stranger/danger education
• Antismoking education
• Sexual abuse prevention education
• Expanded health and psychological services
• Child abuse monitoring (a legal requirement for all teachers)

In the 1990s, we added
• Conflict resolution and peer mediation
• HIV/AIDS education
• CPR training
• Death education
• America 2000 initiatives (Republican)
• Inclusion
• Expanded computer and internet education
• Distance learning
• Tech Prep and School to Work programs
• Technical Adequacy
• Assessment
• Post-secondary enrollment options
• Concurrent enrollment options
• Goals 2000 initiatives (Democrat)
• Expanded Talented and Gifted opportunities
• At risk and dropout prevention
• Homeless education (including causes and effects on children)
• Gang education (urban centers)
• Service learning
• Bus safety, bicycle safety, gun safety, and water safety education

In the first decade of the twenty-first century, we have added
• No Child Left Behind (Republican)
• Bully prevention
• Anti-harassment policies (gender, race, religion, or national origin)
• Expanded early childcare and wrap around programs
• Elevator and escalator safety instruction
• Body Mass Index evaluation (obesity monitoring)
• Organ donor education and awareness programs
• Personal financial literacy
• Entrepreneurial and innovation skills development
• Media literacy development
• Contextual learning skill development
• Health and wellness programs
• Race to the Top (Democrat)

This list does not include the addition of multiple, specialized topics within each of the traditional subjects. It also does not include the explosion of standardized testing and test prep activities, or any of the onerous reporting requirements imposed by the federal government, such as four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates, parental notification of optional supplemental services, comprehensive restructuring plans, and reports of Adequate Yearly Progress.

It’s a ponderous list.

Each item has merit, and all have their ardent supporters, but the truth is that we have added these responsibilities without adding a single minute to the school calendar in six decades. No generation of teachers and administrators in the history of the world has been told to fulfill this mandate: not just teach children, but raise them!

© 2011 Jamie Vollmer |

Photos of a Classroom

Images of the Commons Area of the school being used as a classroom.  One of several incidents where lack of space is an issue in the Minto Schools.

Letter From A Former Minto High School Graduate

We moved to Minto, ND. a couple of years ago, from a population of over 13,000.  When we were checking out the Minto school we were a bit surprised to see how outdated the inside of the building is, especially coming from a large populated town and what our schools look like back home.  When walking through the Minto school I really did not want to attend because of how outdated the school is.  I did, however, attend the Minto school and found the school to be uncomfortably cold in the winter and too hot in the summer, books outdated, and curriculum 2 years behind and having a classroom in the hall was hard to comprehend.

As with our homes, businesses, machinery and vehicles etc. everyone is aware that it costs money for upkeep and without the upkeep things do fall apart.  Without the support of our community, whether it be for our school, churches, car dealership, bank, cafe, bar, gas station, etc. if the support is not there these places can’t stay open and soon a town is just a name.  

 

We were the outsiders that moved into the town of Minto and our choice was to call this our home because of the wonderful support we have received from the community with welcoming us here. We were amazed at how a small town pulled together and it seemed that everyone cared for one another.  

I personally don’t want to see our “hometown” become just another “name” that people drive through to get to the next town as one would hope that all of us would want to keep the town of Minto an active and vibrant community.

The school does need a lot of repairs and updating so our children will have a productive learning environment.  As a community it is our responsibility to support our school and businesses so our town flourishes.

One Percent Interest Rate Possibility…The Time is Now

If the ND Legislature funds the State School Construction Fund in January 2015 (which provides for a 4.0% interest rate reduction) it would allow the interest rate on this school renovation project to be reduced to 1.0%!!!*  

The Minto School District project is $5.8 million and would qualify for a state loan of 90% of project.*

Linda Lutovsky has already submitted an application to the ND State Department of Public Instruction for the state loan, so subject to the legislature putting some more funding into the loan program in January, and the bond referendum passing, the District should hopefully have a good opportunity to obtain most of the funding for the project at a below market interest rate.  

Contact your legislators about this important financial relief!

*Final loan amount and interest rate will be determined by DPI next year if the legislature approves additional funding for the loan program.

Information provided by Myron Knutson (Public Financial Management)

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Minto City Council

On September 7th following a presentation from Superintendent, Linda Lutovsky on the proposed Minto School Building Bond Referendum the Council unanimously approved a motion from Nice, seconded by Shutt, to state its support for the school bond referendum.

Letters to the Editor-From Walsh County Record-September 10 Issue

The following three letters appeared in the September 10 issue of the Walsh County Record...

Reader says, vote ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’

As a parent, a teacher, and a local taxpayer, I am writing to urge other community members to support the Minto School Building Improvement referendum vote to be held on September 23.  

As a parent of a senior (who will not benefit from this referendum),  I understand the concerns of other parents about sending their child to school.  We all want the best education possible for our kids.  Minto School has worked hard over the last few years on providing a curriculum for all students; both the ones that need to be challenged and for those students that need remedial or special services. I appreciate this.  But parents also want to know that their child is learning in a safe, inviting, and adequate environment.   Would you want your child to be taught while sitting in a doorway, in the hallway, or even on the stage in the gym?  Can they really learn in this setting?  This has been happening for years and should be unacceptable.  Our students deserve better.

As an experienced teacher (in several districts and states), I understand the ‘needs’ of a school district versus the ‘wants.’   The district is not asking for anything above and beyond what they NEED to update an old building and provide our current and future students an appropriate learning environment.  Teachers should not have to figure out how to carry out a lesson plan while working with students in a hallway or on a stage (those students will not learn as much as they should with the distractions inherent in the situation, no matter how good the lesson is).  Community members expressed all kinds of ideas (‘wants’) at the planning meetings.  We all want more; and it would be great to have a large, state of the art, modern school building!  This is not what this referendum is asking for.  It is asking for basic updates to an old building that will provide adequate ventilation, accessible facilities, and space for teachers to do their job so that all students can learn.

As a taxpayer, I understand the hesitation on the part of patrons that do not have students in the district about paying more taxes on their property and land.  This will cost all us more.  Times are uncertain and we all have endured higher costs of living.  We have to ask ourselves, is it worth it?  Do they really need this?  What should the cost of education be in our community?  If we don’t pay now, what will the cost be in the future?  Please consider what the cost would be to the community if the school were to close; this has occurred in other small towns in the region with very negative consequences.  There should be no higher priority than providing our young people a good education.  Keeping it local (rather than paying it somewhere else) will pay dividends for our community well into the future. 

Both of my sons have received an excellent education through the Minto School District because of the dedication of the teachers and staff.  This is becoming increasingly difficult for them to do because of the condition of the school building itself.  Now is the time to change this.  It truly is Our Town, Our School, and Our Responsibility; Now and in the Future. So please votes Yes and Yes on September 23 at the high school in Minto (9:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.).  

Mary Stanislowski

Minto

We CHOSE Minto

I feel that my story of residing here is a bit unique from many others who live in the Minto area.  My husband and I did not grow up here, nor do we have any relatives (let alone multiple generations) in this area.  My family moved here eight years ago when my husband was relocated for his job.  Our “assignment” was Grand Forks.  We searched for a home in and around Grand Forks.  We CHOSE Minto.

Why did we choose Minto?  Minto was the small town that we wanted to call home, not another house on a way to another relocation.  This community held out open arms to us.  Early on we witnessed the kindness and generosity of this community.  This was a group of people who were proud of their community and heritage.

Now eight years have passed since our arrival.  Our children are growing and attend elementary school in Minto.  Through these years we have continued to witness the beauty of this community.  Whenever there was a need in the community of Minto there was an outpouring of support by individuals, families, businesses and organizations.  It touches my heart to see this generosity. 

Now the need before the community is to address the physical deterioration of their school building.  The School Board is asking for the help of this community to support a $5.8 million School Improvement Plan which is imperative in saving the aging building that our children are in.

I will not claim to be an expert on building or structural issues and maintenance, but even I understand that the best maintained roofs, windows and heating systems need replacement.  Many materials in the school building have outlived their useful life.  I want the asbestos removed from the building that my children attend.  I want the bathrooms and the building to be accessible for all who have special needs or disabilities including teachers, students and guests. I want ALL children to have equal access to quality education in proper learning conducive classrooms.

I deeply believe in the experiences I have had in Minto that this community will rally together and support this School Improvement Project for the health and safety of our children and for the future of our community.

Please come out and vote YES on the two ballot questions on September 23 from 9am-7pm at the Minto High School Library.

Lynn Lane

Minto 

Minto School Board urges 'Yes' vote

This fall, area residents have been discussing a strategic plan to improve the quality of school buildings for Minto School District.  This plan was developed after months of community input, community meetings and professional advice.  On September 23rd, the Minto School Board encourage all residents to support this plan by voting yes on two ballot questions.

The first will ask whether we want to make new investments in replacing our outdated school infrastructure including roofing, windows, doors, heating and ventilation systems.  It will also allow us to add needed space for our early learners and students with special needs, many of who now are now taught in the commons, doorways and libraries.  This referendum would provide the funding to pay back school construction bonds. 

The second vote will give the district the ability to raise our debt level to enable the ability to secure the bonds needed for the construction. 

We are convinced that most residents agree we should continue to invest resources to improve the quality of our schools.  But we don’t take that support for granted – residents should support this plan because it will provide great value for students, teachers and the community of Minto for every dollar spent.

Significant investment is needed to improve the facility.The school District at this time has the opportunity to access historically low interest rates from a school construction fund set up by State of North Dakota, along with a recent significant drop in overall property tax rates, as well as an expected escalation in overall construction costs, make this a favorable time for Minto residents to consider these changes.

We believe this vote on September 23^rd represents, a vote for the future of Minto Schools.  Investment in our school facility is needed to renew our facility assets, preserve our current operating budgets and in turn, to ensure Minto School continues to offer competitive educational opportunities and remain a strong cornerstone for our community.

We hope you take the time to get more information on the plan at www.Minto.k12.nd.us or by calling the district office at 248-3479.  Please support Minto Schools and the Minto community on both ballot questions on September 23rd.

Doug Ulland-President, Kristin Stoltman, Rod Osowski, Brad Narloch, Brian Dauksavage, Helen Zikmund, Gary Slominski

Minto School Board

School Photographs

Recently I was taken on a tour of Minto Schools by Mrs. Lutovsky on September 4, 2014.  I knew the school was in need of updates, but I was really shocked by what I saw with my own eyes.  Click on the link below to see photos of the tour I was on.  School Tour Photos

If you do not have a Snapfish account, you can log in using this information:
Email Address: mintovoteyes@gmail.com
Password: minto2014

I encourage you to visit the school for yourself...it is eye opening!

School Tour Opportunities:

Tuesday September 16th 

beginning at 6:00pm.

Wednesday September 17th 

9:30am-noon

Thursday September 18th
5:30pm-7:30pm
Spanish Translator Provided

Schedule a tour with Mrs. Lutovsky by calling 248-3400,

High School Addition-Elementary Space Improvements

Extensive study and community input brought the Minto Community to this critical point in time to decide the future of our school.

Based on the Values Work Sessions facilitated by FJJ Solutions and completed by school staff, students, board members and the community more classroom space was a top outlined district need.

The solution suggested by FJJ Solutions and accepted by the Minto School Board was to make a 5,500 square foot addition on the north end of the high school.  This addition would alleviate spaces issues in the elementary as the junior high students would relocate to the high school wing.  This would create vacancy in the elementary school to provide students with special education services, Title 1 services and future preschool services.

Neither the addition or the renovation to the classrooms has been designed, so the cost is an estimate. To design this space would be to put the "cart before the horse" so to speak.  If this improvement plan is approved by the voters then the project would move into the design and bidding phase.

The Board Prioritized Facility Improvement Plan estimates the cost of the high school addition and elementary renovation at $1.7 million. 

Stop by the Minto School to see the Facility Improvement Outline

Our Town-Our School-Our Responsibility

Minto School District Election Information

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BOTH questions on the September 23^rd ballot must receive a YES vote for the proposed school building improvement project to occur.

Question #1 asks voters to allow the school district to issue bonds not to exceed $5,800,000 to fund the proposed building renovation and addition.

Question #2 asks voters to allow the school district to increase its debt limit by 5% to increase the borrowing capacity to fund the proposed school building improvement project.

Support your School and Community 
by voting YES and YES!

MINTO SCHOOL ELECTION

WHEN

Tuesday, September 23rd

9am-7p

WHERE

Minto High School Library

200 4^th Street