Owatonna approves the bond referendum

After 10:30 p.m. at the Steele County Administration Building, there were cheers for news that the voters approved the K-8 bond referendum. In fact, after a ward and precinct voted yes, one of the referendum supporters rang a cowbell. 
Owatonna School District voters approved the $77.9 bond referendum 57.3 percent yes to 42.7 percent no. There were a total of 8,649 votes, totaling in 4,952 yes and 3,697 no.
The only precinct to vote no was the rural voters from precincts outside of Owatonna. Only 33.4 percent of rural voters voted yes.
Precinct 2 Ward 2 (voted at Brooktree Golf Course Clubhouse) voted 72.7 percent, the highest percentage of yes than any other precinct. 
The successful vote means the school district will receive $77.9 million in bond funds to address deferred maintenance needs at all elementary and junior high schools, upgrade safety and security district wide, and reduce elementary crowding. 
Soon after discovering the success of the bond referendum, Superintendent Peter Grant said he was really thankful. “First, thank you to the task force committee. There are hundreds and hundreds of people that helped make and narrow down recommendations,” said Grant. “The community listened and showed its support for the schools. It’s about the kids, parents, businesses…the whole community.” 
Planning and designing will begin soon. Grant said that the planning work will be about a six month process. According to the press release for referendum approval, “Design committees will be formed for the two largest projects, the Willow Creek and Junior High additions.” After planning, the projects will start going out for bids. 
The construction is predicted to take place over approximately three years. According to the press release, security upgrades at many sites and some smaller projects will occur in summer 2016. 
A majority of the projects are predicted to take place during the summers of 2017 and 2018. Parents and stakeholders will be in communication with the school district regarding the alignment of elementary groupings. 
Grant said that grade configuration and related changes would not occur until either fall 2017 or fall 2018. Plans depend on planning and construction schedules.