H-BC voters to decide on new school

Residents in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District will go to the polls Tuesday, April 11, in action taken by the H-BC school board Monday night.
Members voted 6-0 to move forward with the $29.975 million bond referendum to improve district facilities. (Board member Eric Uittenbogaard wasn’t present at Monday’s meeting.)
Two questions will be asked on the April 11 special election ballot.
Question 1 asks voters to consider a $26.5 million bond to build a new elementary school (at a location yet to be determined) and decommission the existing structure in Beaver Creek.
Question 2 asks for $3.475 million to decommission the former high school building in Hills and make improvements to the locker rooms and Hugo Goehle gymnasium.
The existing bus garage (that the district still uses for its fleet) at the former high school would be improved.
Also, the parking lot at the current secondary school will also be expanded under the plan.
Question 2 would not pass unless voters also approve Question 1.
A public meeting and information session will be scheduled once the Minnesota Department of Education renders an opinion on the building plans.
Board members approved the review and comment documentation to the state at their Jan. 9 meeting.
A favorable ruling from state officials means a simple majority vote in favor would be necessary for the referendum to pass.
An unfavorable ruling from the state would mean a “yes” vote of at least 60 percent would be necessary for the referendum to pass.
Board members went into closed session Monday night to discuss plans to purchase land for a new elementary building in Beaver Creek.
No agreement with a land owner has been reached.