Referendum 2019
On May 14, 2019, Eden Prairie voters approved our bond referendum request 69.5% yes to 30.5% no.
The referendum request was based on three years of planning, public input and research and allows Eden Prairie Schools.
2019 Referendum Goals
- Ensure more children are prepared for kindergarten
- Improve the middle school learning experience
- Support greater academic achievement
- Improve safety and security
Ensure more children are prepared for kindergarten
Improve the middle school learning experience
Support greater academic achievement
Support greater academic achievement by redesigning classrooms across the district to support a more flexible learning environment and personalized learning, helping students develop in-demand skills like collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking.
Improve safety and security
Voter approval of the referendum gives School Board permission to issue $39.9 million in bonds to fund construction and materials needed.
The tax impact is about $6.50 a month on an averaged-price Eden Prairie home ($397,400 in 2019)
Materials
Voting
Polls will be open on May 14, 2019 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your polling location is determined by your residence and may be different from previous elections. See polling locations listed below. Visit www.mnvotes.org or call 952-975-7000 to find your location.
Election Day (May 14, 2019) Combined Polling Locations
COMBINED POLLING PLACE: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie. Precincts served:
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 1
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 2
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 3
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 5
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 6
- City of Chanhassen, Precinct 1
COMBINED POLLING PLACE: St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie. Precincts served:
City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 4
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 7
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 8
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 11
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 12
- City of Edina, Precinct 10c
- City of Edina, Precinct 19c
COMBINED POLLING PLACE: Prairie Lutheran Church, 11000 Blossom Road, Eden Prairie. Precincts served:
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 13
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 14
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 15
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 16
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 17
- City of Bloomington, Ward 3, Precinct 17Â
COMBINED POLLING PLACE: Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie. Precincts served:
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 9
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 10
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 18
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 19A
- City of Eden Prairie, Precinct 19B
Tax Impact
We have the second lowest total school property taxes of neighboring and Lake Conference school districts and will still be below the state average if voters approve this funding request.
If approved, the tax impact for the average homeowner* would be about $6.50 a month. Use this online tax calculator to determine the tax impact on a specific property value, or click on the Tax Impact Chart below to view the annual tax impact on a number of different property values.
*$397,400 home value
FAQ
- When is the referendum?
- What is the referendum request?
- Why was the bond requested now?
- Who can vote?
- Why are so many changes proposed at Central Middle School?
- When would changes take place?
- What will the referendum cost?
- How would the $39.9M bond be allocated across the various construction projects?
- If this is approved, when would 6th graders move to Central Middle School?
- How are you addressing specific concerns for Spanish Immersion education?
- If the referendum is approved, when would construction start?
- What happens if the referendum is not approved?
- How was this proposal developed?
- What would happen to school safety and security if the referendum is not approved?
- Can you explain the chart the district uses to compare taxes? My property tax bill is higher than the amount listed.
- What is the status of the 2014 referendum funds?
- The bond request is for $39.9 million. Did you consider asking for a larger amount?
- Why is this referendum in May, instead of November when we usually see elections?
- Will preschool fees change?
- What will happen to the Lower Campus and Education Center if the referendum is successful?
- What is the difference between a bond and a levy?
- What other bonds does Eden Prairie Schools have currently?
- When was the last bond referendum and what did it accomplish?
- What is the average amount Eden Prairie Schools collects in taxes from a typical property tax bill?
- How does our bond debt compare with other school districts?
- What is the timeline for the levy approved in 2014?
- Security improvements are a relatively small part of the total bond package, were they included because security is a hot-button issue?
- What are the preschool numbers currently? Where are the numbers headed? What number of students are not served due to current lack of space and what total number of preschool students are we looking to serve in 2021?
- Will there be before- and after-school child care for preschool?
- Will preschool classes have access to K-5 specialists?
- Will the Mosaic program continue into sixth grade if the referendum is approved?
When is the referendum?
What is the referendum request?
There will be one question on the ballot, requesting bond funds to improve school learning environments and enhance school safety through construction projects at all schools. If approved, referendum funds would be used to:
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Ensure more children are prepared for kindergarten by moving our 4-year-old preschool programs into all elementary schools, thus expanding access and strengthening the transition from preschool to elementary school.
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Improve the middle school learning experience by moving 6th graders from the elementary schools to a more age-appropriate environment at a grades 6-8 middle school tailored to their academic and developmental needs.
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Support greater academic achievement by redesigning classrooms across the district to support a more flexible learning environment and personalized learning, helping students develop in-demand skills like collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking.
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Improve safety and security across all schools by adding protective glass, lock down equipment, internal communication systems and additional exterior security.
Why was the bond requested now?
The bond referendum proposal comes after three years of study that involved Eden Prairie residents, teachers, staff and students. It reflects what our public said they want for students in Eden Prairie Schools, specifically:
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More safety improvements at every school;
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Renovations at Central Middle School, which was built in 1959, to bring this school into the 21st century, and to enhance music and theater opportunities;
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More access to preschool for children that are on waitlists; and,
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Modernized classrooms to accelerate personalized learning at every school in the district.
These improvements are needed now because we do not have space at the middle school for 6th grade, elementary schools do not have space for preschool and the other plans will take three to 20 years to realize. We need to maintain our competitiveness so that Eden Prairie continues to be one of the best school districts in Minnesota.
Who can vote?
Please reference the Minnesota Secretary of State website for information on who can vote in elections Minnesota.
Why are so many changes proposed at Central Middle School?
While all district schools would receive valuable security improvements and redesigned classrooms to support more flexible learning environments, Central Middle School (CMS) would have more extensive work done if the referendum is approved.
There are several reasons for these recommended improvements:Central Middle School was built in 1959. It has not had a major update in 25 years.
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The school is a 1960s high school design, built to the specifications of that time. Schools designs have improved in 50 years.
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The referendum proposal includes moving 6th graders from the elementary schools to CMS to provide them with a more age-appropriate environment at a grades 6-8 middle school tailored to their academic and developmental needs. It is also the norm for most metro area school districts. This will require additional classrooms and other academic and program spaces.
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CMS’ cafeteria is too small for its current student population, resulting in five lunch periods that begin at 10 a.m.
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CMS’ multipurpose room is not large enough or appropriate to accommodate the many music and theater performances that students and teachers want to hold.
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During drop-off and pick-up times, there is quite a bit of congestion due to buses and cars converging. This causes both traffic flow and safety concerns.
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All Eden Prairie students attend Central Middle School during their K-12 career.
When would changes take place?
Welcoming preschoolers to all elementary schools and moving 6th graders to the middle school would take place in fall 2021. School security improvements and redesigning classroom work would begin as soon as possible, but construction schedules won’t be finalized until the referendum outcome is known.
What will the referendum cost?
How would the $39.9M bond be allocated across the various construction projects?
The working budget is as follows:
Project Area |
Estimated Budget |
New classrooms, furniture and remodeled instructional spaces at Central Middle School; safety and security improvements at Central Middle School; updates and additions for preschoolers at elementary schools where needed |
$14M |
New theater at Central Middle School, including auditorium, music rooms, practice rooms, production area and community space |
$8M |
New gymnasium and locker rooms at Central Middle School |
$2.3M |
Traffic flow, parking lot and safety improvements at Central Middle School; bus transportation for preschoolers and 6th graders |
$2.3M |
Expanded and remodeled cafeteria at Central Middle School |
$1.75M |
Support for personalized learning spaces districtwide, including furniture, lighting and redesigned spaces |
$4M |
Safety and security updates at all elementary schools and high school |
$1.2M |
Construction and architectural fees, permits, management costs and services |
$3.85M |
Construction contingency |
$2.5M |
TOTAL |
$39.9M |
If this is approved, when would 6th graders move to Central Middle School?
If voters approve the referendum, Eden Prairie Schools administration would begin planning to implement a middle school model (gr. 6-8) at CMS. Parent/guardian and staff input will be part of this planning. Construction at CMS is required and would be completed by the 2021-2022 school year. Students who enter sixth grade in the fall of 2021 will attend CMS. That's this year's (2018-19) current 3rd grade class.
How are you addressing specific concerns for Spanish Immersion education?
A list of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed following a Feb. 4 meeting at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. More information will be provided as the district's referendum information develops.
If voters approve the referendum, a comprehensive planning process would start. Families and staff would be part of it, aiming at the fall of 2021, when 6th grade Spanish immersion students would join their 7th and 8th grade peers at Central Middle School.
If the referendum is approved, when would construction start?
If the referendum is approved, some projects would start as soon as this summer, such as security and classroom improvements. The schedule for these projects would be determined after May and spread over a couple of years. The expansion and improvement of Central Middle School would start its planning phase immediately, with a competitive bidding process opening in early 2020. Construction would start that year and continue over two years in order to minimize disruption to the learning environment. Sixth grade students would move into CMS in fall of 2021.
What happens if the referendum is not approved?
The plan developed after the three-year Designing Pathways process will not be implemented. This means the following:
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6th grade students stay aligned with younger students
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Preschool demand continues to exceed available capacity
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CMS continues to show its age (last significant update was 25 years ago); updates would happen in a piecemeal fashion over years rather than as a comprehensive plan
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No middle school theater space
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No improvement to the middle school lunch schedule, which currently runs 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Classrooms across the district are modernized over 10 to 20 years rather than a few years
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Traffic issues during pick-up and drop-off continue to be problems
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Safety improvements happen over several years instead of 1 or 2
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District taxpayers would continue to be charged for the annual lease of the Education Center, which houses preschool and other programs (currently about $700,000)
How was this proposal developed?
Eden Prairie Schools staff, parents and community members spent the last three years developing a long-term vision for academic programs and facilities to support student learning through the Designing Pathways process. This referendum request supports the facility improvements needed to achieve the community vision developed from that public input, research and planning.
What would happen to school safety and security if the referendum is not approved?
While all our schools currently have secure entries, this referendum includes funds to improve safety and security systems for students and staff. The proposed improvements would add protective glass, lock-down equipment, internal communication systems and additional exterior security. If the referendum does not pass, safety and security improvements would be completed more slowly (over several years instead of one or two years) due to lack of funding.
Can you explain the chart the district uses to compare taxes? My property tax bill is higher than the amount listed.
The chart shows the current school district property tax ($1,724) for a median value home in Eden Prairie (value of $397,400), and comparable school taxes for homes of the same value in neighboring districts.
Your property tax bill combines the levies for local agencies with tax authority: city, county, Metropolitan Council, watershed district, school district and possibly other special districts. Your bill will list each of these agencies and their levies. The chart reflects only the school district portion of the tax bill for an average-priced home. Individual property taxes will vary based on the assessed value of the property and other circumstances.
We have an online tax calculator that can tell you how this referendum would affect your property.
What is the status of the 2014 referendum funds?
In 2014, Eden Prairie residents approved increasing the district’s operating levy. These funds helped maintain a balanced budget for five years, reduce class sizes in kindergarten and first grade, and provide more individualized attention for grades 2-12 students through math and reading specialists. The results thus far:
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There have been no budget cuts since 2014 and none are anticipated through at least 2019-20.
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We immediately lowered class sizes in K and 1 as promised and have maintained those.
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We also lowered class size in grades 2 and 3, even though that was not promised.
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Each elementary school received a full-time specialist for math and reading support, as well as a full-time staff instructional coach. The coaches help teachers develop and apply best practices for personalizing learning.
The bond request is for $39.9 million. Did you consider asking for a larger amount?
Our final bond referendum request of $39.9 million was based on an assessment of our district’s needs, the community-developed vision for what our schools should look like to support the academic plan, and alignment with what we believed our community could tolerate in terms of tax impact. During the lead-up to the decision, larger amounts were discussed, and the board made a final decision based on the criteria mentioned earlier.
Why is this referendum in May, instead of November when we usually see elections?
State law allows bond (building) referendums in the spring. This allows districts to plan construction schedules that are convenient in Minnesota (i.e. the summer) as soon as the funding has been approved.
In Eden Prairie, items proposed in this referendum have been under discussion for three years. During this time, construction costs have only increased. There is urgency to see if voters will approve this request and get the work underway soon. Some referendum projects, like classroom improvements and security updates would be started immediately this coming summer.
The May timeframe would allow the district enough time for major design work for Central Middle School in order to start the competitive bidding process in early 2020. Construction would begin that summer and continue in order to move 6th grade students to CMS in fall of 2021. Part of the planning process will be to minimize disruptions to students and learning during the 2020-21 school year.
Will preschool fees change?
Preschool fees are evaluated each year to keep up with inflationary costs, however, moving locations will not affect the evaluation process. Fees are on a sliding fee scale and range from $225 to $435 for half day programs. More information about Little Eagles Preschool is available here. If voters approve the referendum, children in our 4-year old preschool programs will benefit through access to elementary school resources, bus transportation, and collaboration between preschool and kindergarten teachers.
What will happen to the Lower Campus and Education Center if the referendum is successful?
Lower Campus would house three-year-old preschool. Community Education and early childhood programs would move out of the Education Center into the district office and Lower Campus (the buildings are connected). Exact locations and a plan would be determined if the referendum is successful. Relocations would happen in summer of 2021.
Moving programs out of the Education Center would save the district a lease of approximately $700,000 per year. This savings would go directly back to taxpayers. The savings are figured into the calculations of our referendum property tax calculator.
What is the difference between a bond and a levy?
Bonds are for buildings and levies are for learning. Bond funds can only be used for construction and renovations. Operating levies are a legally separate funding stream that voters can approve to support classrooms and educational programs. The 2014 referendum was for an operating levy. This 2019 request is for bond funding.
What other bonds does Eden Prairie Schools have currently?
Eden Prairie Schools' bonded debt falls into two categories. We have $66,560,000 in bonds for long-term facilities maintenance. These were used for projects such as roofs, mechanical equipment and other items essential to keep schools open and operational. These deferred maintenance projects have completion dates between 2009 and 2021 and are part of the district's 10-year long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) plan, which the board approves annually. Maturity varies from 2020 to 2036.
We have another $325,000 remaining in capital facilities bonds that were used to update elementary buildings more than decade ago. These bonds mature in 2021.
When was the last bond referendum and what did it accomplish?
In 2004, voters approved a $20 million bond referendum for long-term (deferred) facility maintenance. Just like residential properties that need updates after 20 or 30 years for things like roofs, boilers, ventilation/air-conditioning systems, flooring, doors, locks, pavement and concrete repair -- schools need the same.
Eden Prairie has had schools since the 1920s, and most in use today were built between the 1950s and 1980s. These schools needed significant updates and the 2004 bond referendum provided the funding to complete a long list of maintenance projects.
Before and since the 2004 bond referendum, the Board of Education of Eden Prairie Schools has budgeted for a long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) plan. This 10-year plan is developed by district administration and approved by the board annually. It helps ensure the district completes on-going maintenance and schools remain in top operational condition. The bonds from 2004 will be paid off in 2024.
What is the average amount Eden Prairie Schools collects in taxes from a typical property tax bill?
Individual property taxes will vary based on the assessed value, location of the property (a few parts of Eden Prairie Schools reside in other cities), and other factors. We cannot give a definitive answer due to the variety of properties in our school district. Every property owner's individual situation is different. However, looking at general trends, we can estimate that for single-family homes, about one-third of a property tax bill goes to Hennepin County, one-third supports the school district, one-quarter is levied by the city of Eden Prairie and the remainder is collected for the Metropolitan Council, watershed districts and other special jurisdictions. These are only estimates. Property owners should refer to their property tax bill for details.
We have an online tax calculator that can tell you how this referendum would affect your property.
How does our bond debt compare with other school districts?
Our bonded debt is very low compared with some of our neighbors. A few of the districts listed below have been building new schools or their voters recently approved bonds for improved facilities. If voters approve Eden Prairie's 2019 referendum, our bond debt would remain under Minnetonka's.
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Wayzata: $220,160,000
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Eastern Carver County Schools: $180,120,392
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Edina: $175,050,000
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Hopkins: $155,145,000
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Minnetonka: $111,860,000
Other districts' data comes from their most recently published Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
What is the timeline for the levy approved in 2014?
Security improvements are a relatively small part of the total bond package, were they included because security is a hot-button issue?
Eden Prairie Schools is committed to school safety regardless of the outcome of the referendum. The timing of this proposal allowed the School Board to ask for funding to speed up additional security improvements. Without this funding, improvements would continue, but they would be spread over a few years. If the bond referendum is approved, additional layers of security would be added this summer and next year. The proposed improvements would add protective glass, lock-down equipment, internal communication systems and additional exterior security.
Additionally, the school district would not ask for a bond referendum for a (relatively) small amount. Bond referendums are usually for large items, such as a new school or school addition, or for a collection of smaller scale projects. Eden Prairie Schools’ 2019 bond proposal is a combination of additions to Central Middle School to move 6th grade there, and improvements at all schools for preschool, security and modernized classrooms.
What are the preschool numbers currently? Where are the numbers headed? What number of students are not served due to current lack of space and what total number of preschool students are we looking to serve in 2021?
Preschool enrollment varies between families with children who are 3 years old and families with 4-year-olds. For simplicity, we’ll focus on 4-year-olds. We enroll about 350 4-year-old students and over the years we consistently started the fall with around 50 on the waitlist for morning preschool. These families do not choose afternoon preschool. Typically, as the year proceeds, they find a program for their 4-year-old child outside of Eden Prairie Schools.
With additional space at the elementary schools we could enroll 625 students in preschool, which is the size of a typical kindergarten class in our district. A realistic short-term goal is 70 percent to 80 percent, or around 475 students districtwide. We have excluded families that choose private or parochial schools from our estimates, but if we draw from this population, we do have additional space to accommodate them. Preschool would continue to be a fee-based program and optional for families.
Will there be before- and after-school child care for preschool?
Will preschool classes have access to K-5 specialists?
Will the Mosaic program continue into sixth grade if the referendum is approved?
Yes. Central Middle School currently has 6th grade students who transition from Mosaic to 7th grade and they are automatically enrolled in Advanced English, Social, Science and Math classes. These courses were specifically designed for students in the Mosaic program. We anticipate that 6th grade students coming from Mosaic would have advanced classes as well, but in a secondary setting (where they change teachers for every period). The same level of rigor would be maintained. There would also be some additional choices for 6th grade students with their exploratory classes, which is part of the secondary school experience.
Should voters approve the referendum, we would further develop this plan in order to be sure we continue to meet the needs of Mosaic students. We would have two years to plan the transition for all 6th graders to CMS, and that planning will include Mosaic.