Nicollet OKs $8.1 million referendum

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NICOLLET -- A public school's $8.1 million referendum passed by a significant two-thirds margin here Wednesday.

The referendum, which will add 50,000 new square feet to the Nicollet Public School campus without raising taxes, passed 472 to 243.

The vote was brought by the Nicollet School Board following public comments and visits to community centers in nearby St. Peter and Lake Crystal.

Nicollet's version could be the first such project on a kindergarten-through-12th grade campus.

A total of 715 votes were cast from the time the polls opened in the school cafeteria at 4 p.m. and closed at 8 p.m.

There was only one question on the ballot Wednesday night -- Should the school board of Independent School District 507 be authorized to issue bonds for building improvements?

"We're pretty elated about it," said Nicollet Public School Superintendent Gregg Allen.

The 2001 sale of the school's original 1920s building created a shortage on auditorium and gymnasium space.

Now that the district has a mandate in hand, construction on additions to the west and east sides of the current school building will start this spring, Allen said.

Municipal bonds will finance the cost of the $8.1 million project over the span of 22 years. The school's current building, which was built in 1986, will be paid for in 2006.

Allen said that the space shortage and some community input were major factors in the school board's decision to pursue the additions.

He said officials also felt that they could build the additions without any change to the school's tax levy.

The Nicollet Public School has 303 students enrolled from within the limits of the town of Nicollet as well as a 15-mile radius around it. Allen said that while the school's enrollment numbers are only projected to stay the same, the town could see as many as 150 new homes in the next few years.

This housing boom could give enrollment a substantial shot in the arm.

"This will equal the playing field for our students in comparison to other school districts in terms of the fine arts, wellness programs and extra-curricular activities," Allen said. "We can't even have a three-act play because we can't set something up in the gym that long."

The original Nicollet Public School building was sold for storage. Allen cited problems with the building's roof, ventilation and overall maintenance costs as the rationale for the sale.

The west addition could be finished by January of 2006 and the remaining parts are could be complete by May of that year.

Once it's finished, the west addition will house Early Childhood Family Education, pre-school and a "latch-key" programs.

The east addition will account for most of the new space, adding a 400-seat performing arts center, a new gymnasium with an elevated walking track, community and Internet rooms.