THE NEEDS: OUTDATED CLASSROOMS, UNSECURED BUILDING ENTRANCES, AND AGING INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS

  • Special education at Lake Ripley is currently being held in the original locker rooms and showers

  • Students and teachers need more room for small group work, collaboration, and more hands-on learning experiences

  • Many interior spaces at our schools are underutilized, resulting in wasted spaces – remodeling would allow for the creation of additional classrooms

  • Hands-on learning stations for classes like Industrial Tech, Art, and Family and Consumer Science (FACS) are too small to give students the access they need  


  • The MN Department of Public Safety’s School Safety Center recommends that school buildings have a single, monitored point of public entry and exit

  • Our building entrances are not designed to allow the main office to monitor people entering and exiting the building

  • Existing parking lots and traffic flow during student pick-up and drop-off are hazardous for students at busy times


Q2_Subheader_3.png
  • Modernized heating and ventilation systems as well as other mechanical upgrades are needed

  • Leaks caused by a deteriorating roof at Lake Ripley have caused water damage in classrooms and hallways

Over the years, we have made the repairs our budget would allow. However, for too many years, state funding for school maintenance needs was inadequate, requiring additional money from our school’s general operating budget. These repairs have competed with money for classroom educational needs. 

Recently the State of Minnesota has recognized that school building maintenance needs are underfunded and adjustments have been made for the future. However, after years of under-funding, there are just too many costly maintenance needs to fund from our regular budget. 

In addition, money from a bond levy must be spent on its intended purpose (i.e. building needs) and does not take money away from classroom education resources.


THE PLAN: INVESTMENTS IN EXISTING SCHOOL BUILDINGS WILL IMPROVE EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS

Although the District, School Board, and Task Force, along with professional facility consultants, have identified approximately $86 million in district-wide building needs, Question 2 addresses only the projects that are the highest priority. The following improvements are included in Question 2:

  • Remodeled special education spaces and additional classrooms

  • Create breakout spaces for our learners

  • Modernized Industrial Tech, Art, and FACS spaces at the Middle School and High School

  • Improved security at building entrances

  • Improved traffic flow and parking lots

  • HVAC upgrades

  • New roof at Lake Ripley


OUR EXISTING BUILDINGS WILL BE MODERNIZED AND EXPANDED

 

Improvements planned for Lake Ripley will remodel outdated spaces to add new classrooms and create more suitable spaces for special education programming. Break-out spaces for each grade level will be added to allow for more collaboration and small group learning. A new multi-use cafeteria will allow for the existing cafeteria to be converted back into a gymnasium, provide a safer environment for students in line for lunch, provide a more secure building with deliveries and vendor access management and provide a small performance and presentation area for students.

Q2_Subheader_4.png

LAKE RIPLEY ELEMENTARY PROPOSED FLOOR PLAN

Ripley 1.PNG

LAKE RIPLEY ELEMENTARY PROPOSED SITE PLAN

Ripley 2.PNG

 

At Litchfield Middle School, underutilized spaces will be repurposed to create more classrooms and break-out spaces. Classrooms and shops used for Special Education, FACS (Family and Consumer Science), Art and Industrial Tech will be remodeled and modernized.

Additional break-out spaces, a remodeled Industrial Tech area, a new art room and additional classrooms are planned for Litchfield High School. An expanded cafeteria, kitchen and common area will improve our ability to serve high school students efficiently.

 

litchfield middle school/high school proposed floor plan

MS + HS 1.PNG

LITCHFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL PROPOSED SITE PLAN

MS + HS 2.PNG

 
Plan_Graphic_Q2_Special_Ed.png
 

BUILDING SECURITY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY WILL BE IMPROVED

Lake Ripley Elementary’s main office will be relocated and building entrances at Litchfield Middle School and Litchfield High School will be remodeled to create a single point of entry and exit for use during the school day.  These improvements will assist main office staff in controlling entrance to their schools while students are present.  More secure entrances to buildings will improve building security.  

Traffic flow at the Lake Ripley parent pick-up and drop-off location will be reworked to improve safety and efficiency.  A separate bus loop will also be added at Lake Ripley for additional safety. In addition, parking lot improvements at Litchfield Middle School and High School will benefit students and vehicle drivers.


If voters approve Q2, we will be able to udpate HVAC systems in our buildings and make critical repairs to some of the most pressing mechanical and electrical components of our schools’ infrastructure.  In addition, Lake Ripley will get a new roof.  

If voters do not approve Q3, then a portion of the funds from the Q2 bond revenue will be diverted to pay for repairs for our existing high school pool.

Taking care of the infrastructure needs of our aging buildings can save operating dollars, help prevent costly emergency repairs, and extend the life-cycle of our facilities.

TAKING CARE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS