ELLSWORTH – After parsing through community survey results at a special Dec. 6 meeting, the Ellsworth School Board Dec. 11 voted to move forward with a facility referendum model on the April 2, 2024 ballot. A formal resolution will go before the board at the Jan. 8 meeting.

Superintendent Barry Cain said the community survey tested $40.4 million in projects compared to the $25.455 million the school district will bring to the voters in April. Items the community did not express support for were a new childcare facility addition on the elementary school, a new football/track stadium and improved baseball/softball fields. The athletic projects had significantly less support than the proposed building systems and technology education projects.

The projects that will be part of the referendum question are broken down like this:

EHS Career Technical Space - $8.5 million

• Additions 5,800 square feet - $2.7 million
• Remodel 11,500 square feet - $2.275 million
• Demo of exterior and increase snow loads. - $125,000
• Code upgrades due to new additions - $400,000
• Site work, paving, walks, utilities, etc. - $500,000
• Specialty equipment for CTE space - $200,000
• Contingency fund - $600,000
• Owner costs - 25% of the above dollars - $1.7 million

EHS Systems - $3.435 million

• Maintenance - $2.748 million
  • HVAC and controls – In-door-air quality
  • Boiler and pump work
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Exterior envelopes
  • Interior finishes
• Owner costs - $687,000

EHS Health & Physical Education Center - $3.8 million

• Center additions 4,500 square feet - $2.1 million
• Demo of exterior and increase snow loads - $125,000
• Code upgrades due to new additions - $400,000
• Site work, paving, walks, utilities, etc. - $225,000
• Specialty equipment - $50,000
• Contingency fund - $200,000
• Owner costs – 25% of the above dollars - $700,000

EHS Student Secured Entrance & Lobby/Concessions - $1.7 million

• Lobby addition – 1,000 square feet - $500,000
• Remodel of 1,500 square feet - $375,000
• Site work, paving, walks, utilities, etc. - $225,000
• Contingency fund - $200,000
• Owner costs – 25% of the above dollars - $400,000

Middle School Systems & Tech Area - $8.01 million

• Tech room improvements - $322,000
• Maintenance - $6.151 million
  • HVAC – indoor air quality
  • Controls
  • Boiler and pump work
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Exterior envelopes
  • Interior finishes
• Owner costs - $1.537 million

Cain said the scope of the projects were driven by the community survey results while reducing the tax impact on families. The estimated tax impact for these projects would be $79 per $100,000 in residential home value.

Since 2016-2017 when the new elementary school was approved, the district’s property tax mill rate has dropped by nearly 43%. In the Middle Border conference (in 2022-23), Ellsworth had the third lowest property tax mill rates, with only Osceola and Baldwin-Woodville lower. The property value in the district increased by 16% this year.

In a letter to district parents, Cain said: “Much more information will be coming in the following weeks and months as we move toward the April 2, 2024, election date. I encourage all parents and voters of the district to engage in this important decision. I am always available for questions related to these projects so feel free to connect with me at any time.”