The Eden Prairie School Board set May 14, 2019 as the date for the district’s referendum election. Eden Prairie voters will decide on improvements to school learning environments and on enhancements to school security. The request is based on three years of planning, public input and research. The referendum ballot will put one question in front of voters. If it is approved, it would provide the following:
- Ensure more children are prepared for kindergarten by moving and expanding our 4-year-old preschool programs from various locations into the elementary schools.
- Improve the middle school learning experience by moving 6th graders from the elementary schools to a more age-appropriate environment at the middle school tailored to students’ academic and developmental needs.
- Redesign classrooms across the district to support a more flexible environment and personalized learning as schools push for greater academic achievement and develop in-demand skills like collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking.
- Improve safety and security across all eight schools by adding protective glass, lock down equipment, internal communication systems and exterior entry security.
Voter approval of the referendum would give the School Board permission to issue $39.9 million in bonds to fund construction and materials needed. The tax impact would be $6.50 a month on a $350,000 home.
“This referendum request is based on a vision created in partnership with our students, staff, parents and community members,” said School Board Chair Elaine Larabee. “If approved by voters, it would help us maintain the level of excellence our community expects, while still keeping our taxes among the lowest in the area.”
The school district will begin preparing informational materials to help the community understand the referendum request before the May 14 election. More information will be available in print, online and in presentations by late February.