Owatonna High School District Voters To Make Decision November 3

Owatonna Superintendent of Schools Peter Grant was a guest on AM 1390's Talk of the Town. He discussed the question facing voters on November 3 in the Owatonna School District.

Voters will be asked whether they support a $77.855 million building bond.

The question addresses three areas of concern. About $34.6 million is requested for "deferred maintenance projects," which would be money used for replacing heating and ventilation units, accessibility codes in restrooms and other areas of concern that would require updates or replacement in the future. About $38.4 million would be used for additions to four schools in the district. The final $4.9 million would be used for security upgrades. These upgrades would include surveillance cameras and remodeling that would make visitors have no choice but to check into the main office when entering a school.

Grant said that the requests were put into just one instead of three questions because deciding which of the three areas should receive precedence and be placed first on the ballot was too difficult to decide.

A person with a $150,000 property in the district would see their taxes increase an average of $15 a month.

Polls will be open from 7AM until 8PM on November 3.