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Red Lake School District has Groundbreaking Ceremony for $14.8 million addition and renovation project for Red Lake Elementary School - P2

RED LAKE - A Groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 12:30 PM for the Red Lake School District's $14.8 million addition and renovation project for the Red Lake Elementary School.

In May 2018, Governor Mark Dayton signed off on $1.5 billion public works construction legislation that included $14 million for the Red Lake School District.

For many years Red Lake District officials had been working to secure funding for the design and construction of a new structure between the Red Lake Early Childhood Center and the Red Lake Elementary School. It would add about 20,450 in square footage between the two current buildings and connect them.

Now it is a reality.

The project will also renovate 41,420 square feet in the Elementary School with improvements to classrooms and the cafeteria as well as increasing security.

Last year the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Senate passed a bonding bill with $825 million for public works construction projects as they were winding down.. The legislation passed the Senate in a 42-25 vote and was then returned to the House, where it was approved 113-13.

The district had originally asked for $14.5 million, but they have the remaining $800,000.00 from their general fund and savings.

The Red Lake Elementary School is at or above maximum capacity in all program areas. Special purpose classrooms designed for art, science and music instruction are now being used as general education classrooms. Students are receiving math and reading small group instruction in spaces intended to be used as storage spaces. In 2014-15, the District added one section of first grade by repurposing a supplemental education room. Due to increasing enrollment in 2015-16, the District added an additional section to both first and second grade, and to do so combined two special education classrooms, increasing the number of special education students utilizing the space.

The Early Childhood Center building reached its capacity at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year when one section of kindergarten was added. In 2014-15. The District added another section of kindergarten by repurposing a special education classroom and the media center. There are currently eight sections of kindergarten.

Spiritual Advisor Elizabeth "Pug" Kingbird opened with a prayer, proceeded by the school drum group, followed by the Welcome by Superintendent Melinda Crowley.

Statements were made by State Representative Matt Grossell and Senator Paul Utke, who helped Red Lake obtain the loan, School Board member Chris Jourdain and Wes Jourdain.

Project at a Glance

* $14,491,647 maximum effort capital loan to predesign, design, construct additions, renovate, furnish and equip Red Lake Elementary (Grade 1-5) and Early Childhood Center (PK-K).

* New square footage (20,450 sf)

18,150 sf addition to include six classrooms, support services area, connecting link between Red Lake Elementary and Early Childhood Center, centralized main entrance.

2,300 sf addition to Red Lake Elementary School Cafeteria increasing seating capacity by 90.

* Renovated square footage (41m420 sf)

Renovate and relocate existing music and art rooms that have been converted to classrooms.

Renovate existing computer labs and student support areas.

Renovate and relocate special education classrooms to accommodate demographics of special education students.

Update existing antiquated mechanical and HVAC system to improve efficiency.

* Redesign of bus loading and unloading zones.

Estimated Project Timeline

June - November 2018 - Predesign and Design

December 2018 - Submit Plan to State for Review

January - February 2019 - Develop Bid Documents

March - April 2019 - Advertise Bids, receive bids, accept bids

June 2019 - Groundbreaking for the project

July 2019 - Construction begins on project additions

June 2020 - Renovation of existing spaces begins

August 2020 - Completion of building additions

August 2021 - Completion of renovation

 

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