Events
Superintendent Brad Strand will be holding public meetings with a presentation to provide more information about the referendum plans and the needs of our district. The Breckenridge School Board is also holding an open discussion question and answer session.
Open Discussion with the Breckenridge School Board
Open Discussion with the Breckenridge School Board
- Wednesday, October 6 @ Breckenridge High School Auditorium - Open Discussion with the School Board @ 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 7 @ Breckenridge High School @ 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium
- Wednesday, October 13 - Virtual Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. via Google Meet Or dial: (US) +1 256-743-3599 PIN: 315 257 738#
- Thursday, October 28 @ Breckenridge Elementary School @ 6:00 p.m. in the board room
- Tuesday, October 12 @ Doran City Hall @ 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 13 @ Wolverton City Hall @ 6:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 20 @ Kent Community Center @ 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 26 @ Foxhome City Hall @ 8:00 p.m.
- Monday, September 13th - Community Engagement Meeting - Thanks to those who attended! Download the Slide Deck.
News
Referendum Enewsletter Archive
August 20, 2021 - News Release - Breckenridge School Board Authorizes November Referendum Election
Breckenridge, Minn. (August 20, 2021) -- The Board of Education for Breckenridge Public School voted unanimously at its August 18 meeting to hold a referendum election on Nov. 2 that includes three questions. The first question renews and increases the current operating levy set to expire in 2023. Questions two and three ask voters to consider authorizing bond levies to pay for a new PreK-12 PreK-12 school building and a multi-purpose arena featuring a seasonal ice sheet, respectively.
“Each of these questions are critical to the future of public education in Breckenridge,” said School Board Chair Brett Johnson. “We’ve been working on addressing facilities needs since 2014. Our buildings, some of which date back to the Great Depression, have served us well, but have reached the end of their useful lives.”
The operating levy supplies funds to help the school district operations. The levy pays teachers, funds programs, and keeps class sizes low. The increase in the levy would support additional investment in technology devices and infrastructure.
Breckenridge has the second oldest buildings (average of 60.77 years) among neighboring Minnesota school districts, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Education. A facilities analysis identified a lengthy list of deficiencies that would be addressed by building a new school.
The school district authorized the girls’ hockey club team to become an authorized sport competing in the Minnesota State High School League. An ice sheet would provide a Minnesota home to both boys and girls hockey teams, as well as a second sheet of ice in the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area to ease busy ice-time schedules for youth and adult programs, as well as provide for figure skating, open skate and educational opportunities. The arena space could be used for other purposes outside of the winter season.
About the process
The process began in 2014 with a facilities study which was updated in 2020. Staff, administration, a community task force, and community members had an opportunity to help shape the project. The school board action to approve referendum ballot questions was influenced by a public opinion survey that showed strong community support for a referendum. In the survey, community members favored a new pre-kindergarten through grade 12 campus on a new site with a community center over three other options.
“We want our community to make an informed choice at the polls,” said Superintendent Brad Strand. “We will host meetings and provide information on our website, by direct mail and online over the next two months. I encourage everyone to learn more and contact me with any questions.”
One upcoming opportunity to learn more about the referendum takes place on Monday, September 13 at Breckenridge Middle/High School. Tours will begin at 5:00 with a meeting and opportunity for discussion to follow. Daycare and meals will be provided.
More information will be forthcoming on the Breckenridge Schools website. Please contact Superintendent Strand with any questions at 218-643-6822 or strandb@isd846.org
“Each of these questions are critical to the future of public education in Breckenridge,” said School Board Chair Brett Johnson. “We’ve been working on addressing facilities needs since 2014. Our buildings, some of which date back to the Great Depression, have served us well, but have reached the end of their useful lives.”
The operating levy supplies funds to help the school district operations. The levy pays teachers, funds programs, and keeps class sizes low. The increase in the levy would support additional investment in technology devices and infrastructure.
Breckenridge has the second oldest buildings (average of 60.77 years) among neighboring Minnesota school districts, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Education. A facilities analysis identified a lengthy list of deficiencies that would be addressed by building a new school.
The school district authorized the girls’ hockey club team to become an authorized sport competing in the Minnesota State High School League. An ice sheet would provide a Minnesota home to both boys and girls hockey teams, as well as a second sheet of ice in the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area to ease busy ice-time schedules for youth and adult programs, as well as provide for figure skating, open skate and educational opportunities. The arena space could be used for other purposes outside of the winter season.
About the process
The process began in 2014 with a facilities study which was updated in 2020. Staff, administration, a community task force, and community members had an opportunity to help shape the project. The school board action to approve referendum ballot questions was influenced by a public opinion survey that showed strong community support for a referendum. In the survey, community members favored a new pre-kindergarten through grade 12 campus on a new site with a community center over three other options.
“We want our community to make an informed choice at the polls,” said Superintendent Brad Strand. “We will host meetings and provide information on our website, by direct mail and online over the next two months. I encourage everyone to learn more and contact me with any questions.”
One upcoming opportunity to learn more about the referendum takes place on Monday, September 13 at Breckenridge Middle/High School. Tours will begin at 5:00 with a meeting and opportunity for discussion to follow. Daycare and meals will be provided.
More information will be forthcoming on the Breckenridge Schools website. Please contact Superintendent Strand with any questions at 218-643-6822 or strandb@isd846.org
August 2, 2021 - News Release - Breckenridge School Board Takes Next Step Towards Addressing Aging Facilities
Breckenridge, Minn. (August 2, 2021) -- The Board of Education for Breckenridge Public School voted unanimously at Monday’s special meeting to forward a proposal for a new school to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This step is one of the last in a several year process that included a facilities analysis, a community task force, community meetings, a public opinion survey, and a great many meetings by the school board to discern the right approach to address aging school facilities.
MDE reviews school district proposals for new facilities or major renovations to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
The district’s next step in the process would be for the school board to approve ballot questions for a Nov. 2 referendum election. At the school board meeting on Aug. 18th, the school board will consider a renewal and increase to its operating levy authority in addition to one or two questions concerning facilities. The school board is considering a facilities option most strongly supported by community members in a public opinion survey. In the survey, community members favored a new pre-kindergarten through grade 12 campus on a new site with a community center over three other options.
About the schools
In 2013, voters approved a levy that was used to address the most critical needs at the elementary school. At the same time, the district began to develop a long-term plan for its buildings, which included conducting a facilities assessment. This study was updated last year, but plans were put on hold because of the pandemic.
In the next few years, a significant investment will be needed at the elementary school. The school was built in 1934 with four additions between 1949 and 1998. Key findings from the facility study include:
The facility study also found the following issues at the middle-high school building:
More information will be forthcoming on the Breckenridge Schools website. Please contact Superintendent Strand with any questions at 218-643-6822 or strandb@isd846.org
MDE reviews school district proposals for new facilities or major renovations to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely.
The district’s next step in the process would be for the school board to approve ballot questions for a Nov. 2 referendum election. At the school board meeting on Aug. 18th, the school board will consider a renewal and increase to its operating levy authority in addition to one or two questions concerning facilities. The school board is considering a facilities option most strongly supported by community members in a public opinion survey. In the survey, community members favored a new pre-kindergarten through grade 12 campus on a new site with a community center over three other options.
About the schools
In 2013, voters approved a levy that was used to address the most critical needs at the elementary school. At the same time, the district began to develop a long-term plan for its buildings, which included conducting a facilities assessment. This study was updated last year, but plans were put on hold because of the pandemic.
In the next few years, a significant investment will be needed at the elementary school. The school was built in 1934 with four additions between 1949 and 1998. Key findings from the facility study include:
- Boilers and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are at the end of their service lives.
- Student drop-off and pick-up lanes should be rerouted and separated to improve site safety.
- Electrical and plumbing systems are aging and inefficient.
- Windows need replacement and the exterior brick and mortar require extensive repair.
- Technology infrastructure does not support today’s learning needs.
- Classrooms lack space for hands-on learning, small-group collaboration, and tutoring.
The facility study also found the following issues at the middle-high school building:
- Science, technical/industrial ed (“shop”), and art classrooms are too small and lack proper equipment.
- The facility lacks a dedicated cafeteria, and the auditorium is undersized.
- Interior finishes, including doors, flooring, tiling, and cabinetry, are worn due to decades of use and need to be replaced.
- Classrooms are undersized to fully support the District’s educational mission.
- Dedicated space is needed to better serve students with special needs.
More information will be forthcoming on the Breckenridge Schools website. Please contact Superintendent Strand with any questions at 218-643-6822 or strandb@isd846.org
