Board Authority Levy 2024

Every fall, cities, municipalities, and counties set their budgets, review projects, and assess taxes to fund necessary work. This enables local governments to respond quickly and appropriately to infrastructure demands and essential services.  School districts undertake a similar process and occasionally use Board Authority to levy funds for essential projects that support district health. 

Bonding is most frequently referred to when discussing new construction projects.  However, the scale of these large projects can sometimes overshadow the imperative need to maintain existing facilities.  Maintenance projects are often much smaller in size; however, if not addressed, they can significantly add up over time. Over the past three months, the DC school board has received a deep understanding of our maintenance needs and discussed ways to protect our district's largest physical asset: our school buildings.

In 2022 our community approved a bond that enabled the school board to address several key projects, both in renovating classroom spaces and addressing maintenance issues.  Yet, to fulfill additional maintenance obligations and ensure our schools’ long-term sustainability, a new Board Authority Bond is required. 

The State of Minnesota recognizes the ability to fund maintenance projects falls short of the actual need. As cities and counties levy for needed repairs to roads, buildings, and other public assets, school boards have been given the authority to levy critical infrastructure or safety improvements. Investing in our school facilities is an investment in our community’s future.  Without these critical repairs, we risk compromising the long-term learning environment of our students.

Our district’s newest school building recently turned 50 years old and has served our community well. While the district has done its best to maintain the building with the funds allocated by the state, the amount provided is insufficient to support the necessary upkeep fully. There are several urgent maintenance issues required to ensure the building functions as it should for the next 50 years.

Identified Needs:

• Update High School and Middle School fire alarms to meet current standards

• Sealing of building envelope to ensure water doesn’t enter the building and prevent further eroding 

• Install fire suppression system in the middle school 

• North side of HS drainage and road repair

• Fresh air to the locker rooms

• 6 Air handling units

In summary, the Board Authority Levy is crucial for ensuring the safety, longevity, and functionality of our school facilities. By securing the necessary funds for critical maintenance and updates, we are not only investing in the present but also making a commitment to the future, guaranteeing our students have safe, reliable, and well-maintained schools for many years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) What is the state statute that the board-approved bond can be approved by without going to the public for a vote?

• Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 to 469.1815 - Abatement authority for infrastructure (parking lots for schools)

• Minnesota Statutes, 123B.595 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue

2) Per state statute, what sort of projects can be completed with this type of funding?

• The cost of energy modifications;

• Improving disability accessibility to school buildings;

• Bringing school buildings into compliance with life, safety, and fire codes and

• Modifying buildings and equipment for security.

3) Was there a cap on the amount?

• There is a cap on the abatement levy based on the total tax capacity of our district, of which this levy is well below the maximum capacity.  

4) Why wasn't this included with the last bond?

• In the past two years, due to construction projects, the Board has received more information concerning our facilities and the current state of the district.

• Without this information, the board did what it thought was right by constructing a bond that addressed educational needs and a few facility needs.

• The Board wanted to stay below $20 million and thought that by adding some maintenance projects to the bond, they were doing the right thing.

5) You paid SiteLoqIQ to provide a district assessment of facilities; why didn’t they find these issues?

• SiteLogIQ presented a comprehensive report detailing all the areas in which improvement was needed.  Ultimately, the board selected $18 million for the bond amount. 

6) Have we put a list of projects that this bond will cover and the cost of each specific project on the website?

• All the projects covered in this project are listed in our LTFM (long-term facilities maintenance) 10-year plan. We are in the process of updating the plan to reflect projects covered by the new levy.

7) Why is it important to continually invest in building maintenance?

• The school buildings are the district's largest physical asset, and caring for them is crucial for student learning, safety, and well-being.

• The district has not been able to keep up with maintenance due to a lack of funding from the state.

• Our Buildings and Grounds Director has helped share a deeper understanding of the state of our school district facilities. He has helped articulate the necessity and value of maintenance projects.

• These repairs are essential, and construction costs are unlikely to decrease.

8) Did we or you explain why the board went this path instead of allowing the community to vote on it?

• Over the past few months, the Board has held many conversations on this topic.  Conversations centered around the items on this list and essential maintenance that needs to be completed. These maintenance items are affecting the education of our students, and there is truly no option but to proceed with them.  The board was elected to be good stewards of the District's assets, and this is the right thing to do.

9) Will my taxes go up with this bond?

• Yes - This is a 7-year bond that will carry an impact of $223 dollars ($18/month) on the average house ($325,000) in the community. 

2024 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION INFORMATION

The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.  At that election, three (3) members will be elected to the school board for terms of four (4) years each.

To file for School Board Office:

• Obtain an Affidavit of Candidacy form on the Secretary of State's website (www.state.mn.us) or at the Dassel-Cokato School District Office.
• File your notarized Affidavit of Candidacy, along with a $2 filing fee at the Dassel-Cokato District Office: 4852 Reardon Ave. SW, Cokato, MN 55321.  

The Candidate filing period is July 30, 2024- August 13, 2024, by 5:00 pm.

A candidate for the election must meet the following criteria: an eligible voter must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the School District from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the election, and not be a convicted sex offender. 

For additional information, access the Election Administration & Campaigns page on the MN Secretary of State's website.

To learn more about being a school board member within Dassel-Cokato Schools, click The Role of the School Board.

Questions? Please contact Staci Barth at Staci.Barth@dc.k12.mn.us or 320-286-4100 ext. 1013.

About

The school board is the governing body of the school district, and the six members are local citizens elected to four-year teams. Members are required to comply with laws and regulations enacted by the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Department of Education. The board approves budgets, hires staff, establishes curriculum and determines policy.

Role of the School Board

Board Members

Pictured left to right: Andy Engh, Andy Bohnsack, Bonni Halverson, Jenna Kantola, Dave Sangren, Cindy Miller

Andy Bohnsack- Board Chair

"In partnership with our communities and district staff, my goal as a board member is to promote academic excellence by putting students first in everything we do.  I will work cooperatively to build transparency and trust as we responsibly allocate taxpayer funds.  The strength of our communities lies in the families and individuals that choose to live here.  I feel its important for me to be available to answer questions, address concerns, and help develop big ideas for our district's future."

Terms: 2021-2024  

Dave Sangren - Vice Chair

"As a board member, I am here to serve and be available to our community, students, and district employees. My goal is to help provide direction through planning, goal setting, and upholding our community's values and the district's mission. I want to ensure opportunities to all students by preparing them with life lessons and becoming successful contributors to their families and communities."

Terms: 2017-2020, 2021-2024

Cindy Miller - Clerk

"My goal as a board member is to celebrate, strengthen, and support the students and staff of Dassel Cokato Public Schools.  Our schools are the heart and soul of our communities, representing all that unites us and the differences in our midst.  With that premise in mind, I will work cooperatively with board members, parents, and the community to uphold the exceptional educational experience that is and has been the protocol for Dassel Cokato Schools. Together, we can continue this standard of excellence as we move forward."

Terms: 2021-2024  

Bonni Halverson - Treasurer

"My goal as a Dassel Coakto School Board member is to create a positive experience for all students and staff at the Dassel Cokato School District. I want to gain the trust of the Community that chose me to represent them by having the interest of the Students of our District First while valuing the beliefs and values of our Community. I chose to run for the school board to help make a difference in the lives of the students, staff, and the community. I believe my role as a DC School Board Member is to LISTEN to and RESPOND to the Community's concerns and help carry out the District's Priorities to the Public and also be a constant support for staff to allow them to teach our students to the best of their ability. "

Terms: 2023-2026 

Jenna Kantola - Director

"My goal as a school board member is to faithfully serve the Dassel-Cokato community in the duties elected. As a first-year member, I believe that can best be carried out by seeking out learning opportunities, listening to stakeholders, and asking questions to better understand."

Terms: 2023-2026 

Andy Engh - Director

"My goal as a member of the school board is to work with all members of the district and community to achieve our common goal, which is the success of our students. It is important for me to uphold our community values, hear all thoughts and ideas, and help guide decisions that will give our students opportunities to succeed in whatever direction they choose after graduation. I believe in Dassel Cokato Schools' mission and look forward to serving you."

Term: 2023-2026