Dear Breckenridge Community, 
I have been meeting with many Breckenridge residents, business owners, farmers, and others here at school and out in the community. Thank you for spending time with me and sharing your opinions! I appreciate the many questions you have about the November 2 referendum. Today's email describes our situation and proposed plan.

What are the needs in our district?
The November 2 referendum has three questions. Question One relates to our voter-approved operating levy, and Questions Two and Three are building bond related. 

Operating Levy Expires Soon
Voters approved an operating levy increase in 2013 that was primarily used to address the most critical facility needs at the elementary school. It also has helped our district to implement our technology program, keep class sizes low, maintain programming, and serve our students every day. This operating levy is scheduled to expire in 2023. Our district is in good financial standing with steady enrollment, and stable finances, but our current all-grade level technology program has no sustainable funding and cuts may be necessary to keep our budget in good standing.
"Our current technology infrastructure is out of date. We need to replace Chromebooks every three years. In some classrooms, students are able to share their assignments with the class on a large screen, but most of our technology is too old to do this." 
~ Miriam Tobola, Director of Innovation & Learning
Facilities Condition at a Turning Point
Our school buildings have served our district well for decades, but they simply do not meet our needs for providing a 21st century education. Many building systems are beyond their useful life. Compared to our neighbors, we have the third oldest buildings (average of 61 years), according to data from the Minnesota Department of Education.
  • Heating and air systems (HVAC) at end of service life
  • Electrical and plumbing systems aging and inefficient
  • Windows are inefficient for heating and cooling
  • Brick and mortar deteriorated on exterior
  • Interior finishes worn include doors, flooring, tiling, and cabinetry 

If you have any additional questions, you can contact me at 218-643-6822 or by email at strandb@isd846.org.

Sincerely,
Superintendent Brad Strand
Community Meetings
Superintendent Brad Strand will be holding public meetings with a presentation to provide more information about the referendum and the needs of our district.

The Breckenridge School Board is also holding an open discussion question and answer session.

Check the times and dates below - we hope you will join us at a meeting.
Open Discussion with the Breckenridge School Board 
  • Wednesday, October 6 @ Breckenridge High School Auditorium @ 6:00 p.m.
Referendum Presentations
  • ​Thursday, October 7 @ Breckenridge High School Auditorium @ 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 13 - Virtual Meeting @ *7:00 p.m. via Google Meet Or dial: ‪(US) +1 256-743-3599‬ PIN: ‪315 257 738‬# (*updated time)
  • Thursday, October 28 @ Breckenridge Elementary School board room @ 6:00 p.m.
City Council Meetings
  • 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.
What is the plan?
Operations
The three-question referendum would address different parts of our district situation. If approved, Question One would renew the district's current referendum of $519.62 per pupil, plus increase by $150.65 per pupil, totaling $670.27 per pupil. The levy would provide a sustainable funding source for technology and technology infrastructure, as well as help maintain low class sizes and continue to provide excellent educational opportunities. Read more about the plan at www.BreckenridgeReferendum2021.org

Facilities 
After reviewing several different options to address our facility needs, the school board voted unanimously to pursue the option to construct a new, single-site campus while discontinuing use of current facilities. Question Two proposes a new PreK-12 building.
Question Three proposes a single sheet ice arena to be connected to the new PreK-12 facility and will be contingent on question two passing.

Benefits of the plan include:
  • A "right-sized" facility that would feature classroom sizes that work for current education standards
  • Flexibility to change course offerings as the future unfolds
  • Increased security
  • Upgraded Elementary spaces
  • Flexibility for community use and many different school activities
  • Improved accessibility
  • Adequate onsite parking
  • 8-lane track that will allow the district to host meets
  • Improved operational efficiencies
  • A sheet of ice on site and additional gym space for physical education classes, practices for district athletic groups, and community use

What will it cost me?
If all three questions are approved, it will cost about $40.09 per month for an average home value in the district of $125,000. That’s an annual property tax increase of $481.13.

An acre of homestead farmland valued at $5,000 would see an increase of $4.42 in 2022, which would drop to $3.31 in 2023 and beyond. Non-homestead would be $8.84 and $6.63.

Thanks to the Ag2School Tax Credit, 48% of the total project will be paid by state aid.