Voters approve C-I school referendum

By Peggy Stebbins
Voters in the Crosby-Ironton School District approved a referendum for a bond levy and a capital projects levy on Nov. 5.
“We are thankful to voters,” said Mike Domin, chair of the Crosby-Ironton School Board. “I want to thank people for making an effort to learn more about the issues behind the referendum and for making informed votes. Our students will benefit from this investment by community members for years to come.”
The unofficial results are: 1,209 – Yes; 405 – No
As explained during the weeks leading up to the vote, most property owners will not see a change in their school bond levy property tax. Debt from the construction of the new junior high school will be paid off in 2023. Revenue from the bonds voters approved Tuesday will replace the revenue stream that ends with the paying off of the previous bond. Therefore, taxes for homes under $350,000 will not increase and those for homes valued at $350,000 or more will increase by only $1 per year.
Funds provided to the district will be devoted to district priorities. Revenue generated by the bond levy will enable the district to provide long-term facility maintenance, such as roofs, flooring, lighting and restrooms. Student locker areas, library, and cafeteria commons spaces will be remodeled. Also importantly, learning areas will be modernized; elementary classrooms will be enclosed and flexible collaboration spaces, as well as modernizing the industrial tech. wing at the high school—important to contemporary learning approaches—will be created.         
The district will use bond levy funds to improve outside areas, too, such as the elementary school bus loop, stadium bleachers and baseball fields.
Revenue from the capital projects levy will allow Crosby-Ironton to maintain its current technology programs and, over 10 years, upgrade technology infrastructure.
“The community’s approval of these levies is so important to maintaining the Crosby-Ironton community’s investment in its school facilities and to making sure that Crosby-Ironton remains competitive with other districts in the area,” said Jamie Skjeveland, Superintendent. “We want to assure community members we will invest these dollars wisely and effectively. We will continue to communicate with our communities at every step.”
“We understand not everyone voted Yes,” Domin said. “We believe there is common ground in supporting the needs of our children among all of our residents. We will build on that common ground to ensure we all move forward together.”
Updates to the community will continue to be provided on social media and on the district’s Web site at ci.k12.mn. us/home