Voters in the South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) district approved both Bond Question 1 and Bond Question 2 requests. Voters also approved SoWashCo Schools’ request to revoke and replace the Technology Projects Levy.
SoWashCo Schools will begin design work for buildings in two phases with the goal of completing all projects within the next three years.
“We know this was a big ask for voters in hard economic times,” said Superintendent Julie Nielsen. “We are extremely grateful for our community’s support to address safety, security, growth and technology projects in our schools.”
The sale of bonds is the only method for school districts to raise enough funds for new construction, renovations and improvements to address student growth.
- View election results on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
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Bonds for Buildings
Question 1:
Safety and security enhancements and expansions and renovations at secondary schools. (Approx. $160 Million total)
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Construct new secure entry at Park and Woodbury high schools, and Cottage Grove, Lake and Woodbury middle schools
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Planned addition at East Ridge High School and renovations at Park and Woodbury high schools
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Planned expansion of Oltman Middle School and renovations at Woodbury Middle School
Bond Question 1 Details
Question 2:
Addresses elementary school space at schools projected to exceed capacity; renovations for bathrooms at five elementary schools. (Approx. $40 Million total)
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Elementary school additions at Bailey, Grey Cloud, Pine Hill and Red Rock elementary schools
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Construction of additional bathrooms at schools only containing a single set/four stalls: Crestview, Hillside, Pine Hill, Pullman and Royal Oaks elementary schools
Bond Question 2 Details
** Bond Question 2 is contingent on the passage of Question 1, meaning Question 2 cannot pass without the approval of Question 1.**
Capital Project Levy (Technology Projects Levy)
- What is a Technology Projects Levy?
- What is the Technology Projects Levy used for?
- Advantages of a Technology Projects Levy
- What if the Technology Projects Levy Passes?
- What if the Technology Project Levy Fails?
- What's on the Ballot: Question 3
- Technology Projects Levy: How Do We Compare?
What is a Technology Projects Levy?
What is the Technology Projects Levy used for?
Advantages of a Technology Projects Levy
What if the Technology Projects Levy Passes?
What if the Technology Project Levy Fails?
What's on the Ballot: Question 3
Technology Projects Levy: How Do We Compare?
Potential Boundary Adjustments
Tax Impact Tool
Use our online tax impact calculator to estimate the increase in property taxes the bond and levy questions would have on your household.
Tax Impact
Questions?
Answers are provided below to some of the most commonly asked questions. As the long-range facility process moves forward, this section will expand to provide more information to the community.
If you have a question about our Facility Planning, please use the button below to submit your question to us and we will respond back to you.
*choose "long-range facility planning" in the drop-down on the contact us form
Frequently Asked Questions about Bonds and Levy
- What is a Bond?
- What if the Bond Question 1 Passes?
- How will the money be spent if Question 1 passes?
- What if the Bond Question 1 Fails?
- What if the Bond Question 2 Passes?
- How will the money be spent if question 2 passes?
- What if the Bond Question 2 Fails?
- What is a Capital Projects Levy (Technology Levy)?
- What if the Technology Projects Levy Passes?
- What if the Technology Project Levy Fails?
- An individual door knocking in my neighborhood stated the district has kitty litter boxes in school bathrooms. Is this true?
- Is the bond request for new bathrooms to accommodate students who are transgender?
- If Question 1 fails will there be boundary changes for high school students?
- Will the pool at Woodbury High School close if Question 1 passes?
- Why do you need a referendum if schools were given extra funding from the education bill that the legislature passed in the 2023 session?
- What is the length of years for the bonds for the upcoming three questions on Nov. 7, 2023?
- What will the new secure entrances look like and how will they be monitored?
- Don't you already have a Technology Projects Levy?
What is a Bond?
What if the Bond Question 1 Passes?
How will the money be spent if Question 1 passes?
What if the Bond Question 1 Fails?
What if the Bond Question 2 Passes?
How will the money be spent if question 2 passes?
What if the Bond Question 2 Fails?
What is a Capital Projects Levy (Technology Levy)?
What if the Technology Projects Levy Passes?
What if the Technology Project Levy Fails?
An individual door knocking in my neighborhood stated the district has kitty litter boxes in school bathrooms. Is this true?
Is the bond request for new bathrooms to accommodate students who are transgender?
If Question 1 fails will there be boundary changes for high school students?
Will the pool at Woodbury High School close if Question 1 passes?
Why do you need a referendum if schools were given extra funding from the education bill that the legislature passed in the 2023 session?
What is the length of years for the bonds for the upcoming three questions on Nov. 7, 2023?
What will the new secure entrances look like and how will they be monitored?
Don't you already have a Technology Projects Levy?
Latest Updates
With the two bond questions' success, SoWashCo Schools now begins the design and planning process for 15 construction projects across the district.
Voters in the South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) district approved both Bond Question 1 and Bond Question 2 requests. Voters also approved SoWashCo Schools’ request to revoke and replace the Technology Projects Levy.
Please help us inform voters about the questions on the ballot on Nov. 7 by sharing this link with your friends, neighbors and community members who do not have students attending SoWashCo Schools.
Community Feedback
- Community Feedback on the Final Long-Range Facility Plan Recommendation
- East Ridge High School (Community Meeting 3)
- Oltman Middle School (Community Meeting 2)
- Cottage Grove Middle School (Community Meeting 1)
- View All Community Feedback