ISD 728 board directs staff to prepare November 3, 2026 referendum for new high school and facilities package

The ISD 728 school board voted May 26 to direct administration to prepare materials for a November 3, 2026 referendum on a bond package that would fund a proposed new high school and other facility projects.

The chair summarized the district’s two-year facilities review and told the board the facilities task force’s top recommendation was to build a new high school. The chair said the task force ‘‘went over all these solutions’’ and that redistricting had been considered but judged to be a short-term, painful fix. The chair also summarized the district survey results, saying community support ranged ‘‘somewhere between 46 and 53%’’ and that an initial 51.8% approval estimate dropped to about 47% after tax impacts were included.

Why it matters: board members said the district is experiencing growth and crowding in southern schools, and that delaying a build risks higher construction costs from inflation. Opponents warned the tax burden in some municipalities remains high and argued the district should reconsider the plan for a year.

Board discussion focused on trade-offs: one member noted that holding the referendum on a general election reduces district election costs and urged trusting voters to choose; another member said support in parts of the district (Zimmerman, Elk River, Leavonia) fell well below 50% and announced plans to vote against sending the measure to voters. Staff described temporary short-term options (boundary adjustments, repurposing spaces) but said many require board direction before staff will pursue detailed plans.

The motion to authorize administration to proceed with referendum preparations — including ballot language, resolutions, financial information and additional materials — was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries." The motion record on the agenda listed Director Steinreer as mover and Director Fber as second.

Next steps: the chair said staff will return with a recommended package for the board to vote to send to the ballot at a July 13 meeting, with an intervening June 22 meeting for further public input.