SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON FEB. 11
On TUESDAY, FEB. 11, all registered voters in the Minneota School District will have the opportunity to vote on two ballot questions regarding our school facilities. Because our school buildings are a vital part of the community and ultimately belong to you, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote. Your voice matters in determining the future of our schools, and I thank you in advance for planning to cast your ballot.
HOW WE GOT HERE: A THOROUGH, COMMUNITY-LED PROCESS
Over two years ago, the School Board began a comprehensive facility planning process to evaluate the condition of our school buildings and plan for the future. The goal was to gather as much input as possible from a broad range of stakeholders, ensuring any plan put forward was thorough, community-driven, and well-informed.
This process included:
*A full facility assessment evaluating infrastructure, safety, and learning spaces.
*Listening sessions with staff, students, the administrative team, and the School Board.
*The formation of a Community Advisory Task Force, open to any community member who wanted to participate. A special thank you to the 18 community members who dedicated their time and subsequently presented a recommendation to the School Board on September 19, 2024.
*A community-wide survey, which generated an incredible 30% response rate—a testament to the community’s engagement in this process. Thank you for your feedback.
After reviewing all this input, the School Board developed the facility plan you are being asked to consider on February 11. Over the past several months, we have worked hard to communicate not just what is being proposed, but also why these improvements are needed and how they will be funded. We have done this through open houses, printed materials, online resources, and direct conversations—all in an effort to be as transparent and informative as possible.
ADDRESSING MISINFORMATION
Despite our best efforts to provide clear and accurate information, some misinformation has circulated. I want to address a few specific pieces of misinformation:
“IF THE REFERENDUM FAILS, WE WILL HAVE TO BUS STUDENTS TO IVANHOE.”
FALSE. The School Board has never discussed this as an option—not once.
“THE MULTI-USE WRESTLING ROOM WILL COST $4.5 MILLION.”
FALSE. The total cost of the multi-use wrestling room, fitness room, and storm shelter combined is approximately $1.2 million, which accounts for 7.9% of the total project cost.
“THERE IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BECAUSE OF MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT WITH SITELOGIQ.”
FALSE. I was employed by SitelogIQ from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, assisting school districts across the Midwest with facility planning. The insinuation that I personally benefit from Minneota Public Schools working with SitelogIQ is 100% false—not only is that against the law, but the School Board independently selected SitelogIQ based on their expertise in K-12 school facilities and their extensive experience in facility planning.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
I appreciate you taking the time to stay informed about this important decision for our district. As we approach February 11, please visit our website (https://bit.ly/minneota-ref25) — it has a great deal of information and details about the referendum. Or I encourage you to reach out to me directly with any remaining questions — I will do my best to provide the information you need to make an informed choice.
But most importantly, I encourage you to vote. This decision affects not just our schools, but our entire community. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, February 11, your voice matters.
Thank you for your time, your engagement, and your commitment to our schools.