Frequently Asked Questions

What are the district’s capacity and facility needs?

Our growth is leading to capacity challenges at both Hawley Elementary School and Hawley High School. In fact, our elementary school is already at capacity, with spaces designated as classrooms that were not designed for that use. There is no room for more enrollment growth without increasing class sizes, and a dedicated space for BASE/FITS is also needed.

Our high school is nearing capacity and will not be able to accommodate higher enrollment unless class sizes are increased. The building also does not have a secured double entry.

While both schools have been well maintained, they have some additional deficiencies that will need to be addressed.

What are the district’s enrollment growth projections?

Projections indicate that the Hawley Public Schools’ K-6 enrollment will increase by 45-99 students in the next five years, while our middle and high school enrollment will increase by 37-48 students. By the 2031-32 school year, our enrollment is projected to be up to 25% greater than it is today.

How is the School Board engaging the community into this process?

The School Board and district leaders have been engaged in a four-phase process to identify our most pressing needs and develop potential solutions. This includes analyzing the educational adequacy of existing spaces, the current physical conditions of district facilities, and past and future student enrollment.

We also surveyed teachers, staff, and students about their current spaces and where improvements are needed.

We will continue to seek this high level of engagement and answer community members’ questions all the way through election day.

What are the solutions on the ballot November 8?

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Hawley Public Schools residents will vote on two referendum questions.

Question #1, if approved, would allow the district to move forward with the following projects:

Build a new 5th-8th grade middle school building, designed to meet Minnesota Department of Education guidelines for square footage allocations.
Purchase an additional 10-20 acres to the north of our campus to support the new school and provide adequate green space.
Convert our high school to serve grades 9-12, with an addition constructed to provide a secured entry and office space at the exterior of the school.
Build a new fitness space and remodel the existing weight room to create a new main entrance into the high school gym.
Minor remodels to update current office spaces that will be relocated to educational space, while enlarging the district office to better support staff.
Convert our elementary school to a PreK-4 school, with a small addition to create larger, appropriately sized preschool rooms and a music classroom.
Remodel existing spaces into larger, appropriately sized kindergarten classrooms.
Add new restrooms and a concession stand to the north of the campus to support the football field and track.
Convert the current band space to cafeteria space to support additional capacity.
Address deferred maintenance needs at our elementary and high school buildings.
Sell the existing preschool building.

An approved Question #2 would give the district the ability to build an additional gym station at the new middle school. This additional space would enlarge the gym so that it can be used as a competition gym for high school activities. There would also be new auditorium and support spaces incorporated into the new middle school.

The new middle school is planned to have a capacity of 445 students, freeing up space in the existing high school for 400 students. The PreK-4 elementary school will be able to house 540 K-4 students. If enrollment growth is faster than projected in the years to come, the buildings will be able to easily accommodate additions to provide more capacity.

What is a bond referendum?

Bonds are for building. A bond referendum provides a district with funds to make improvements to facilities and building infrastructure. For example, bonds can be used for major construction, such as renovation, building an addition, building new schools, or general building projects. Bonds, however, cannot be used to hire teachers, buy textbooks, or for the operation of the district such as utilities.

How much would the proposed projects cost?

If Question #1 is approved, the proposed projects would come at a total estimated cost of $55.24 million. This includes $41,001,731 for the new middle school, $6,907,611 at the high school, $6,540,661 at the elementary school, and $789,332.25 in other expenses.

The total costs for the projects in Question #2 would be about $3.03 million, including $3,005,363 at the new middle school and $20,484.25 in other expenses.

Why is the district pursuing an election?

The district is anticipating significant growth in student population within the next two years that cannot be accommodated in existing buildings.

The district’s enrollment study showed that in five years (2026-27) K-6 enrollment is projected to be 45 to 99 students larger than in 2021-22 and Middle School/High School enrollment will increase 37 to 48 students from 2021-22. However, enrollment will continue to increase between 2026-27 (5 years) and 2031-32 (10 years).

In 10 years, Hawley Public Schools’ enrollment (excluding Early Childhood) is projected to increase ranging from 1,165 to 1,266 or 15% to 25% percent more than the 2021-22 enrollment of 1,013 students.

Would there be greater operational costs associated with these new spaces?

Yes, there would be some additional operating expenses associated with the new and updated spaces. While the proposed new square footage will be more efficient than the existing spaces, there would be about $78,443 per year in additional utility costs and about $26,869 in maintenance supply costs. The additional personnel expenses to staff the expanded spaces would be $323,288.

It’s important to note that the district would also save about $25,000 per year in avoiding the need to make repairs on systems and equipment.

Staffing needs will not occur immediately. In fact, will be a couple of years out from the new build, if they are needed at all. Most of the staffing for the new building will be filled by existing staff who will be relocated to the new school. If new staff are added due to growth, costs will be covered by existing operating dollars and additional funding received with new students.

What would the project timeline look like?

If the referendum questions are approved November 8, the design process would begin right away. The projects would go out to bid and be awarded by summer 2023, while construction would be set to start in fall 2023. The expected completion of all projects would be summer 2025.

How would approved referendum questions affect property taxes?

If approved, Question #1 would have an estimated tax impact of $473.14 per year on a home worth $180,000 in our community. Question #2 would have an estimated impact of $35.29 per year on a $180,000 home.

If both bond referendum questions are approved, the estimated tax impact would be $508.43 annually on a $180,000 home.

The chart below details the tax impact for various levels of home value, along with commercial, seasonal recreational, and agricultural property:

Didn’t we just pass a referendum a few years ago?

In 2014, the district added a 5th and 6th grade wing to the elementary school to address the demands of growing enrollment. Although this alleviated pressure on our facilities at the time, continued growth at our earlier grade levels has created the need for more space for our current and future students.

What would happen if only one of the two questions is approved by voters?

If Question #1 is approved, but Question #2 is not, the Hawley Public Schools would still move ahead with the projects covered in the first referendum question. However, the district will not be able to proceed at all if only Question #2 is approved by voters.

What would happen if neither question is approved by voters?

If left unaddressed, the space and facility challenges the Hawley Public Schools is facing could negatively impact the outstanding schools our community members have come to expect. These needs will only get worse if we wait to address them, and our students would continue to see increasing class sizes.

If the questions are not approved November 8, district leaders and the School Board would immediately go back to the drawing board to find an alternative solution to our space and facility needs.

Why is the district holding a vote in the general election and not in spring 2023?

The district could hold the bond election in the spring. However, holding the vote in the general election minimizes the costs to the district, proposed project, and taxpayers. When districts hold votes in the general election, the governing of the voting process, election duties and costs are the responsibility of local townships, city clerks, and the county auditor. The district will have responsibilities in a general election, but those are limited.

On the other hand, if the district were to hold a special election, the district becomes responsible for the governing and managing all election duties which include hiring election judges, equipping and operating the polling places and compiling the results - all added expenses.

Moving the bond election to spring 2023 would not only increase construction costs, as the district would need to account for inflation, as well as put the district at risk for an increase in interest rates, both which would increase the tax burden but also extend the construction timeline.

What will happen to the current preschool? Can we sell the preschool and put proceeds toward this project?

The district will explore options for the current preschool, including the possibility of selling the building. No decisions have been made until it is confirmed that the preschool will move to the elementary school and all options have been explored. The school board will make the final decision based on feedback received from stakeholders and what they deem is the best option for the district and community.

Was building a new elementary explored?

Yes. A new elementary was explored with the Community Task Force. Due to the substantial renovation needs to convert the existing elementary into a 5-8 middle school, a nearly four-year construction timeline for this option, and costs, the Task Force did support developing this plan further.

What would the construction timeline be for the project?

The new building as well as additions and remodels to the existing buildings are scheduled to be complete for the start of school in fall 2025.

Why would we build only to cover growth?

The district must follow the Minnesota Department of Education Guide for Planning School Construction Projects, which recommends operating at a 90% capacity at the elementary level and at 80% capacity at the high school level. This allows for future growth and implementation of new programming if needed.

The Department of Education must approve the district plan for a new building prior to going to the voters and base the size of the proposed new building on the current and future demographic data. The district must stay within the MDE guidelines when developing plans for a new building.

The district commissioned a demographic study looking at enrollment the past five years, current enrollment, and projected enrollment based on birthrates, housing, etc. The proposed plan addresses project growth and will also allow for easy expansion in the future if enrollment continues to grow.

If we build new, will growth increase? Is there data on other schools who have built?

There is the potential that growth could increase above the demographer’s prediction. However, it will be based on several factors including jobs, housing, programming, and learning opportunities offered, etc. The Department of Education does not track enrollment data based on new buildings or types of facilities.

What is BASE/FITS it and why is it needed?

The space designated for the BASE/FITS program would act as a flexible, multi-functional space during the school day that could be used for indoor recess, large group events, STEM activities, and multi-class programs, along with the after-school and summer child care programs described below.

BASE is the before- and after-school enrichment program that was started at Hawley Elementary in 2001. It operates during the school year from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. BASE provides care for PreK-6, with a goal to help children reach their potential socially, physically, and academically, while provide a safe and loving atmosphere for children. Students are provided with homework help, the chance for free play, gym games, and opportunities to be outside. Students are also provided the opportunity to be creative by providing art activities and occasionally plays and talent shows.

Fun In The Sun (FITS) is the summer childcare program that Hawley has for kids Kindergarten through 6th grade. The FITS program operates the entire months of June and July, and is open the first, second and third weeks of August. The program makes sure that the kids get to where they need to be for any summer recreation programs that they are signed up for. When the Hawley Pool is open, some afternoons are spent there as well. This summer childcare program provides a loving environment for all students. FITS provides for the children from 6 am to 6pm M-F with meals, actives, care, adventure, quiet time, and so much more.

Why is there such a focus on gym space? Why are 2 practice football fields needed?

The gymnasiums not only support physical education and indoor recess (when needed), but the space also supports multiple after-school and summer sports and activities, and community organizations, programs and events. Scheduling is very difficult, and often youth activities are scheduled late into the evening due to lack of accessible gym space with some activities, unable to secure any space. Additional gym space is needed to support student learning and support the after-school activities and community needs. Last year alone, the field house was used 92% of the time. It should be noted that many requests were denied.

The fields shown on the concept site plan would be used for many different uses as it is now. This would include physical education classes, recess, field events (shot put and discus), community ed activities such as soccer, as well as football practice for elementary and high school. Football field markings are only shown on the concepts to demonstrate the overall size of the green space.

I don't have kids in school. Why should I care about this?

Good school facilities are important to our neighbors who own a business or work at area companies, as well as to families considering a move to our community. Strong schools help support a strong and vibrant community. Local community and business leaders are active on our task force and will help guide future decisions.

When will the community get to vote on this?

Yes. The referendum questions will appear on the ballot during the regularly scheduled election on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. For voting and polling location information, please visit https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.

Can I vote early?

Registered voters in Minnesota may vote early by mail by requesting an absentee ballot or by voting in person before election. You can learn more about these options at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/.

What are the two questions that will appear on the ballot?

The following is the exact language voters in the Hawley Public Schools will see on the ballot November 8, 2022.

Question #1:

Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 150 (Hawley), Minnesota (the “School District”), be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $52,950,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to, construction of a new middle school building?

Question #2:

Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 150 (Hawley), Minnesota (the “School District”), be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,005,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including but not limited to, construction of a new competition gym?

Addressing Our Space & Facility Needs