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Worthington voters have approved three measures that will fund the construction of a new intermediate school and an addition to the high school, addressing longstanding problems with overcrowding in the district’s schools.
Approved were referendums totaling nearly $34 million for the construction of a new intermediate school and a separate plan that would allow the district to refinance $14 million to fund an addition to the high school. The vote was the latest in a long series of school funding elections for the community, which has become larger and more diverse in recent decades because of population growth from immigrant groups — including a large number of unaccompanied minors from other countries.
Since 2013, Worthington voters have rejected five proposed bond referendums. The most recent was in February, when a proposed referendum failed by 17 votes.
Superintendent John Landgaard said Tuesday evening that higher interest and participation from community members made the difference. “Once the facility is completed, we can move teachers out of hallways and storerooms and get them in a real classroom,” he said. “It creates that better learning environment for students.”
Worthington was one of more than 30 school districts that asked voters to approve bond referendums and take on debt for major construction projects, while more than 40 districts sought voter approval to renew or increase their local operating levies. Results for many districts were not available at press time Tuesday evening.
http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-school-districts-await-results-of-school-referendum-votes/564536192/
