One Storm One Future logo

To help maintain Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School’s commitment to creating a path for every student, district residents are being asked to vote on February 11, 2025 on two ballot questions: one for building an Early Childhood Center and another for developing an Outdoor Activities Complex.

Facilities Improvement: Our Journey to One Storm, One Future

Results are in 2025 Vote

Voters in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District have approved both questions in the One Storm One Future Facility Improvement Plan, securing funding for two transformative projects designed to expand early childhood education and outdoor activity opportunities for all.

The unofficial election results show that for Question 1, voters approved a $37.2 million Early Childhood Center, with 1815 voting yes and 1266 voting no. For Question 2, related to the Outdoor Activity Complex, voters approved $17.7 million, with 1661 voting yes and 1416 voting no.

With the approval of the bond funding, the district will move forward with the construction of an Early Childhood Center on a new site in Mayhew Creek Park behind the high school and an Outdoor Activity Complex with two multi-purpose turf fields at the high school.

“This result is a testament to our communities’ commitment to the success of our students and schools,” said Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom. “With this approved bond funding, we now have the opportunity to address the growing demand for early learning programming and move forward with phase two of the high school plan, which includes an outdoor activity complex. Both projects will serve as a lasting legacy, benefiting our community for generations to come.”

In the coming months, the district’s design firm will collaborate with school leadership, students, staff, and the community to develop design plans that meet the needs of the district for years to come. Following this design phase, a public bidding process will be held for construction. Construction is set to begin in May 2026, with an anticipated completion date and opening in the Fall of 2027.

“We are deeply grateful for your continued engagement throughout this process. Your involvement ensures that these projects reflect the priorities and values of our entire community,” Bergstrom said. “We look forward to working together to bring these important improvements to life.”

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROCESS

Since 2018, the district has been studying the long-range facility needs at all buildings. Work Groups composed of community members, parents and staff identified several high priority facilities needs, including Pleasantview Elementary, space utilization at the middle school, and early childhood.

  • The district addressed several middle school space utilization concerns with a multipurpose renovation completed January of 2024.
  • Pleasantview Elementary was addressed with the community's support of the November 2019 bond referendum, and the new building opened in the Fall of 2022. Refer to past referendum information below.

A community-wide survey conducted in the Summer of 2024 further highlighted the need for early childhood as well as outdoor activity spaces. You can view the survey results here. Responding to the feedback, the School Board revised the project scope to best reflect the community's values. These projects will be presented to voters as two separate, independent ballot questions.

If you have any questions regarding this information please reach out to onestormonefuture@isd47.org.

 

Quick Links

Brochure        Tax Calculator        Community Survey Results      Voting information       Poll Finder       FAQs     Sample Ballot

Question 1: Early Childhood Center
Click the above image to learn more
Question 2: Outdoor Activities Complex
Click the above image to learn more

PROPERTY TAX IMPACT

These projects will be presented to voters as separate, independent ballot questions. If both questions are approved, the estimated tax impact on a median home valued at $260,000 in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District would be approximately $3.00 per year. 

Why Now? As some of the current financial commitments end, if both questions are approved those resources will be invested into these new facilities. Doing this now allows the proposed projects to replace existing debt, with a minimal tax impact for residents.

The table below shows the tax impacts for the two separate, independent bond questions on various types and values of properties, calculated over 25 years.

Tax Impact per house hold

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE

Community Meetings and Tours

 

Thursday, January 2, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Tuesday, January 7, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Rice Elementary 
Enter Door 1

Thursday, January 9, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Riverside Terrace, Sauk Rapids
Main Entrance

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
Watab Town Board Meeting
Main Entrance

Wednesday, January 22, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Thursday, January 23, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School
Enter Door 1

Tuesday January 28, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Enter Door 1

Thursday, February 6, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Virtual Lunchtime FAQ's with Superintendent

 

12:00 p.m. 

  • November 26, 2024 
  • December 5, 2024
  • December 17, 2024
  • January 2, 2025
  • January 14, 2025
  • January 22, 2025
  • January 30, 2025
  • February 6, 2025
How to Vote

 

Vote Early/Absentee In-Person

District Office
1833 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids
Door 2, Second Floor

Friday, December 27–Monday, February 10
Weekdays, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.*
*Closed: 1/1/25, 1/20/25

Vote on Election Day:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Additional Voting Information

Extended Absentee Voting Hours

The District Office will offer extended hours for added convenience:

  • Wednesday, January 8: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 22: 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, January 27: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 4: 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 5: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, February 10: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN MORE

Community Meetings and Tours

 

Thursday, January 2, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Tuesday, January 7, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Rice Elementary 
Enter Door 1

Thursday, January 9, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Riverside Terrace, Sauk Rapids
Main Entrance

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
Watab Town Board Meeting
Main Entrance

Wednesday, January 22, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Thursday, January 23, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School
Enter Door 1

Tuesday January 28, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Enter Door 1

Thursday, February 6, 2025  | 6:00 p.m.
Hillside Early Childhood + Tour
Enter Door 1

Virtual Lunchtime FAQ's with Superintendent

 

12:00 p.m. 

  • November 26, 2024 
  • December 5, 2024
  • December 17, 2024
  • January 2, 2025
  • January 14, 2025
  • January 22, 2025
  • January 30, 2025
  • February 6, 2025
How to Vote

 

Vote Early/Absentee In-Person

District Office
1833 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids
Door 2, Second Floor

Friday, December 27–Monday, February 10
Weekdays, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.*
*Closed: 1/1/25, 1/20/25

Vote on Election Day:
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Additional Voting Information

Extended Absentee Voting Hours

The District Office will offer extended hours for added convenience:

  • Wednesday, January 8: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 22: 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Monday, January 27: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 4: 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 5: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Monday, February 10: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Past Referendums