Facilities Improvement Vote: Providing Early Learning Access for Storm Families

We’ve heard from many of our Storm families that access to more early learning programming—such as all-day preschool—is a growing need in our community. To address this, the proposed facilities improvement vote on February 11, 2025, includes a ballot question for early learning expansion at a new site in Mayhew Creek Park.

Watch this video as Sue Paasch, Early Childhood Director shares the challenges of the Hillside building and need for more space to better serve young learners and their families.

Enrollment in Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools' preschool and childcare programs has almost doubled over the past two years. As a result, the Hillside Early Childhood building—originally constructed as a high school in 1928, with an addition in 1977—can no longer accommodate the growing community demand for these services.

The district has explored renovating the Hillside building, but the cost is nearly equal to building a new facility. The entire Hillside building is only 40,000 square feet, which is insufficient compared to the 60,000 square feet needed. Given these factors, the district does not believe further investment in Hillside would be a responsible use of community dollars.

A New Early Childhood Center Would Be Designed With:

• Improved site safety, including parent pick-up and drop-off area
• More interior and exterior space to meet enrollment demands
• Age-appropriate restrooms, lockers and playground equipment

This proposed plan demonstrates our commitment to providing a strong educational foundation for our youngest learners, setting them on a path to success throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Learn more about the facilities bond referendum by visiting the One Storm One Future webpage and make your plan to vote on or before February 11, 2025.