Local News

Votes are in – “No” for School Referendums

Osakis Referendum 320x180 1

Two Osakis School Referendums that were voted on Tuesday night, November 7th, did not pass. Nearly 59% voted no for  building bonds of $29.9 million to acquire betterment of school sites, facilities renovations, upgrades and expansions for classrooms, a gym expansion, and parking lot improvements. 

The second was nearly a 66% no against approval of a $5.5 million bond to improve wrestling space and track and field complexes.

Here were the goals, according to the Osakis School District, they hoped to achieve for their students:

“With the goals of Improving Safety, Expanding our Career and Technical Curriculum, Retaining Efficient Curriculum Spaces, and Increasing the Use of our Community Spaces; the Osakis School Board approved a Special Election to occur on November 7, 2023 and consider two Ballot Questions – Ballot Question 1 – $29,900,000 and Ballot Question 2 – $5,500,000. This page holds all information explaining the reasons for this Special Election and the impact this decision will have on the future of our School and Community.”

Here are the results:

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #213)    Hide Question

Party Candidate Totals Percent
YES 528 41.28%
NO 751 58.72%
SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #213)
Approval of School District Bond Issue
Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 213 (Osakis Public Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,900,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances, renovations and upgrades to the career and technical education classrooms and lab; the construction and equipping of a new auditorium, band room, two-court event gymnasium and walking track; the decommissioning of the existing auditorium and gymnasium; and the construction of parking lot expansions and improvements?

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2 (ISD #213)    Hide Question

Party Candidate Totals Percent
YES 434 34.09%
NO 839 65.91%
SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2 (ISD #213)
Approval of School District Bond Issue
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 213 (Osakis Public Schools) also be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,500,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a building addition to provide a multipurpose room/wrestling space; and the construction of improvements to relocate and expand the track and field complex?

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