Mankato voters hit the polls to weigh in on school referendum

Nov. 7—MANKATO — Some Mankato Area Public Schools voters had mixed feelings about the bond referendum as they headed to the polls early Tuesday morning.

Two questions are in front of them — the second of which can only pass if the first does.

The first question asks voters for $105 million for safety and security, early learning access and learning and wellness space updates for the district.

The second question asks voters for $15 million for high school stadium updates.

Hillside Church voter Rea King, who lives by East High School, said she voted no on both questions.

"Our taxes are high enough. We need to put more emphasis on educating the students with reading, writing, math, science, social studies. Enrollment is down. Grades are down. I think the focus on facilities instead of education is the wrong focus," she said.

Toni Johnson, who lives near Tanager Path and also voted at Hillside, said she voted yes for question one but no for question two.

"Nobody can afford to feed their kids anymore, yet you want to tax them some more," she said, but added that the students need the money from the first question.

Mankato resident and Hosanna Church voter Ed Sorensen said he planned on voting yes on both questions, although he said he didn't agree with parts of them.

"There are parts of it that I'm extremely in favor of and there's some I think they tagged on. It's a huge bill, and it's going to raise property taxes on a lot of elderly people that are on fixed income, but I do have two young grandchildren that go the district, and they're going to be in school for quite a while. I want them to have the security that they deserve. So I am going to probably vote for it, but with reservations. I don't like it when they tag on these things," he said.

Brian Sohroeder, who also voted at Hosanna and lives near the Hilltop area, also said he voted yes on both questions.

"Mankato West could probably use some work," he said.

The security upgrades involved in the first question include secure entrances at 10 schools in the district, including several elementary schools, Dakota Meadows Middle School and Mankato West High School.

Safety upgrades also would enhance technology infrastructure.

The question also includes the third and final phase for the district's Center for Learning. The last phase would add more classroom pods, a production kitchen, the district's print shop, youth gymnasiums and a maintenance shop to the site.

The other child care ask included in the first question would bring licensed child care to the Eagle Lake Elementary School site that would serve Mankato area children from birth to age 5. The district would use existing school district property and build it out to serve the needs of infant, toddler and preschool-aged child care.

Finally, question one includes remodeling at Mankato West High School, repurposing certain elementary spaces into special education classrooms and replacing the old swimming pool at West by building a competition and community-use pool at Dakota Meadows.

In addition to a secure entrance, remodeling at West would include added flexible academic spaces and remodeled athletic and fine arts spaces.

Question two asks voters to approve $15 million to update the stadiums at West and East high schools.

West's upgrades would include putting in an artificial turf playing surface and nine-lane track, redoing the bleachers, upgrading the lighting and building out a more user-friendly concessions and restroom facility.

East's would be similar and would also be upgraded to a turf field and get a new track. The bleachers, lighting, sound, technology and press box would also be updated.

The school district estimates the taxpayer impact for question one to be about $10 a month based on homes valued at $250,000, which is the average home value in the district.

Meanwhile, the second question would have an impact of $2.50 a month for homes with that same value.

King said voting ran smoothly at her polling place.

"It's perfect. Everybody's so nice and friendly and organized. It's pleasant to come and vote," she said.

Elections Administrator Michael Stalberger said a jammed ballot machine at the River's Edge Church polling place in North Mankato was resolved within 15 minutes. He said that machines have an emergency back-up slot and that jams are not very common.

District voters still heading to the nine polling sites should double check their polling place before they go as it is likely different for this election.

That information can be found on the secretary of state's website.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters can also drop off their absentee ballots in-person until 8 p.m.

Many Mankato area voters noticed involvement from outside groups getting involved in this year's referendum. The school district worked to inform voters about what they said was "misinformation" as groups such as Minneapolis-based organization Common Sense Minnesota reached out to voters through texts and mailings.