Facility Planning 2023
District examines facility needs for the future
The school district is growing and district leaders are considering various ways to prepare for the growth.
Projections from a recent demographic study show that the district’s K-12 enrollment will grow by more than 300 students in the next 5 years, and by nearly 1,000 in the next 10 years. The potential growth could be even higher if more families choose to enroll in the coming years as the district continues to make improvements to better serve students.
Most of the growth will come from the center and southern part of the district, where new homes are already under construction and future development is slated. Demographers also pointed out that birth rates are on the rise in our community and projected that the birth to 4-year-old population would grow 5.6% in the next 5 years.
The boost in enrollment will have an impact on school buildings across the district. The report identified several schools that are already near capacity and are projected to be over capacity in the coming years, including Afton-Lakeland, Andersen and Lake Elmo elementary schools and Oak-Land Middle School.
Learn more
Check out the following resources to learn more about the district's facility conversations.
What's Next?
Exploring Options
This spring a facilities planning team - made up of community members, parents and staff - will be meeting to review the 2020 Community Design Team's facility recommendations and consider the latest demographic projections. They'll also review data gathered during a Community Survey conducted in February and from Community Conversations that will be taking place in April with families in the most impacted communities.
The school district anticipates that a bond referendum will be held in the fall to add capacity at the elementary and middle school levels and address known issues in aging facilities. Details of what will be included in a bond will be determined by the school board this summer.