ST. PAUL — The St. Paul Public School Board of Education has called a school bond election for nearly $18 million in additions and renovations to the building.
The St. Paul Board of Education approved the setting the election in Howard County during their regular meeting on Jan. 10.
Board of Education President Marty Mrkvicka said the school is operating in a building that was built in 1923 and the elementary and individual small group classrooms do not meet educational standards.
The 1923 addition has also outlived its useful life and needs significant renovations, maintenance has been ongoing and is costly to the district.
Superintendent Adam Patrick said in addition to the three-story addition being over 100 years old, the boiler is 25 years old and the roof will need to be replaced within the next five to ten years.
Patrick noted with past remodels some of the classrooms are long and narrow and don’t lend themselves well to instruction of students.
The conversation came down to putting more money into the aging space or to tear it down and build new.
Mrkvicka also noted there is no visible welcoming entrance to the central offices and there is no space available for future classroom expansion.
There is also a 1951 addition that has heating and air conditioning issues that have been ongoing. There are also performing arts improvements needed in this addition.
The current cafeteria space is also too small to accommodate current student numbers.
Patrick said due to the small space, they can only accommodate a certain number of students at a time and so their lunch period ranges from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. With a larger space they could condense the lunch period more toward the middle of the day.
“Design solution is needed to limit student disruption within our limited property square footage,” a website for the St. Paul bond stated.
Mrkvicka said initial conversations and plans were discussed prior to 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a postponement.
A year ago, the St. Paul school district restarted the process and met with community members to get their views on what should be done with the aging additions.
After conversations with stakeholders and the St. Paul community, the plan presented will see the three-story 1923 addition demolished and replaced with a two-story structure with modern classrooms, a clearly defined activities entrance, updated performing arts space in the gym, updated HVAC units in the 1951 wing and cafeteria expansion with added outdoor space.
“Elimination of the 1923 building will allow the investment of tax dollars in other areas such as the welding/mechanics shop, science labs, and updates to the 1950s elementary wing,” the bond website stated.
Patrick said that initial conversations with a group of around 30 community members and follow up meetings resulted in the plan that is being presented for the bond.
One factor that was considered was the size of the student population. Patrick said the current enrollment is around 725 students. He said over the past 10 years, enrollment has held steady around 700, with the highest in that period being 730, the lowest, 650.
The actual amount being asked for is $17,975.00.
Community meetings are being held to discuss the bond with St. Paul residents. On Thursday, Feb. 8 a tour of the school will be held at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting at the St. Paul Library’s community room at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Feb. 18 there will be an open house at the school from 2-4 p.m.
There will be a further tour of the school followed by a meeting at the library on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with the same times as Feb. 8.
The last day to register online for the election is Friday, Feb. 23. The last day to register in person is March 1.
The election will be held by mail and each registered voter in the district will receive a ballot by mail at their address listed on their registration. There will be no polling places open for voting.
Ballots will be mailed to registered voters residing in the district the week of Feb. 19.
Voted ballots will be sealed in the “Return Identification Envelope” and be returned by U.S. Mail, hand delivered to the County Clerk’s office or the drop box outside of the clerk’s office.
If returning by mail, it’s important to mail the ballot at least one week prior before voting closes to ensure it reaches the County Clerk, the bond website noted.
All ballots from Howard County voters must be in the possession of the Howard County Election Commissioner no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day, March 12.
