Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lake of the Wood School’s building and facility needs?
Building experts have reviewed the condition of Lake of the Woods School. The school was built in 1991, with the most recent additions completed 27 years ago. Several pressing issues have been identified:
- Sidewalks: Broken, cracked, and uneven, leading to water collection and ice in the winter, creating safety and accessibility concerns.
- Traffic flow: Unsafe parking lot and pick-up areas with crossing hazards that put children at risk; updates are also needed to meet accessibility requirements.
- Roof: Deterioration with blistering and cracking that requires urgent repair.
- Windows: Original residential-style windows (31+ years old) are damaged, deformed, and often stuck shut or unable to close properly.
- Masonry: Deterioration of concrete walls and window sills that requires repair to maintain building safety.
- Flooring: Worn vinyl with cracks and widening joints caused by building movement, requiring replacement.
- Learning resources: Lack of funding for updated curriculum, textbooks, learning materials, and technology. The technology infrastructure is outdated and at the end of its life.
- Transportation: Aging buses and vehicles, averaging nearly 12 years old, need replacement to ensure safe, reliable student transportation.
Overall, the building has been well maintained, with consistent investments helping to maximize its current conditions. The facility condition assessment pointed to critical systems and areas that need further investment.
What is the proposed solution to address these needs?
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, our community will vote on one single ballot question that addresses critical school needs. This single question combines both a facility bond and a capital projects levy.
Facility Bond – $5 million to preserve our building
Focuses on creating safe, high-quality learning environments for students. Funding would allow for:
- Replacement of original building windows to improve energy efficiency
- Needed repairs to flooring, roof, exterior masonry, and sidewalks
- Improvements to safety and traffic flow
Capital Projects Levy – $400,000 per year for 10 years to support student learning
Focuses on instructional resources and student safety. Funding would:
- Update curriculum materials, classroom technology, devices, and software
- Replace security and communication systems
- Provide a bus replacement schedule to maintain a safe and reliable fleet
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL PLANS:
What process has the district used to evaluate these needs?
The district began its facilities study process in August 2023, authorizing a focused facility condition assessment of our building. The purpose of the assessment was to create a plan to address maintenance and improvements to school facilities, prioritize long- and short-term projects, and identify opportunities to enhance learning environments.
What if the referendum is unsuccessful?
- If the referendum fails, our facility needs would go unmet and take years to address, likely at the expense of student learning.
- Redirecting funds could impact teachers, class sizes, and curriculum.
- Delaying repairs increases costs and raises the risk of system failures.
- Other potential funding options would cost the district more.
How would this impact property taxes?
The table below shows the tax impact for the bond and levy question on various types of properties. For more details on the estimated tax impact based on the value of your property, an online property tax calculator is available here.
How does the Ag2School Tax Credit work?
The School Building Bond Agricultural Tax Credit (Ag2School) provides a 70% tax break on the cost of existing, proposed, and future school construction bond issues. This credit is automatically applied to your property tax bill.
At Lake of the Woods School, 22% of the tax base is qualifying agricultural land, which means the State of Minnesota covers approximately 15% of the facility bond portion of the ballot question.
What is the single question ballot language?
The school board of Independent School District No. 390 (Lake of the Woods) has proposed a project for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities. The project includes roof repairs, exterior masonry and window replacements, flooring repair, construction of site safety and traffic flow improvements, and the completion of various deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects at the facility. It also includes the acquisition, installation, replacement, support, and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, technology-related personnel, and training; the purchase and replacement of school buses and school-related transportation vehicles; and the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks, and materials. To provide funds for a portion of the project costs, the school board has proposed to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000. To provide funds for the remaining portion, the school board has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.969% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy will raise approximately $400,000 for taxes payable in 2026, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded by the capital project levy authorization is approximately $4,000,000. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education.
Shall the issuance of the general obligation school building bonds and the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 390 be approved?
When is election day?
Election day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Can I vote early?
Yes. In-person early voting is available September 19 – November 3, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8th Ave SE, Baudette, MN 56623
Extended early voting hours:
- Saturday, November 1: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Monday, November 3: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where can I cast my ballot on election day?
School district residents can cast their ballots at Lake of the Woods Government Center 206 8th Ave SE, Baudette, MN from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Can I vote absentee by mail in this election?
Yes. Absentee ballot applications can be requested from the Lake of the Woods County Auditor’s Office, online at mnvotes.org
Absentee ballots must be returned by 5:00 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 4).