State gives positive review to proposed $31 million school improvement plan

Luverne Public School’s proposed facility improvement received a positive review by the state’s education commissioner.
In the Oct. 3 letter to the district, Dr. Brenda Cassellius said the district met the necessary state requirements and her office reviewed the $31 million facility improvement and expansion plan.
“With this positive review and comment, voter and board approval is required in order for Luverne Public Schools, ISD #2184 to proceed with the proposed projects,” Cassellius’ letter stated.
The Nov. 7 referendum vote would need 50 percent plus one voter approval to pass. A negative review (which is rare) would have required 60 percent voter approval.
Any district with improvement projects costing more than $2 million must submit paperwork to the state for comment. Improvement plans plus financial information make up the majority of the 200-page report to the state.
According to state statute, the district must publish the commissioner’s review and comment findings at least 20 days in advance of the public vote. The commissioner’s findings are printed on page B6.
More than 30 other districts throughout the state have joined Luverne in submitting improvement plans, according to education finance specialist Chris Kubesh.
“It’s crazy,” added education department’s Kubesh. “It’s the most we have ever had (in one year.)”
He speculated many districts postponed taking bond referendum votes to the public until after the presidential election. Others have been propelled to move school facility improvements forward due to the state’s new Ag2School tax credit program.
“A lot of rural schools went ahead (with votes this fall),” he said.
Ag2Credit is open to school districts whose levy base consists of 75 percent or more in ag land. Qualifying school districts could have 40 percent relief on their agricultural tax burden.
Luverne Public Schools has two bond referendum questions on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The first question asks voters for $16 million to finance improvements to the middle-high school facility.
The second ballot question requests approval for a new 750-seat performing arts addition to the middle-high school. Cost for the addition is $7 million.
School board members exercised their levy authority early this year and have already approved $8 million for health and safety improvements for the facilities.
All three local bonds are eligible for the state’s Ag2School tax credit program.