School leaders size up capital projects

Red Wing school officials are taking a hard look at the district’s aging facilities and examining how to pay for repairs and upgrades.

“You can tell that we’ve let a little bit of this stuff go for too long,” said Kevin Johnson, the district’s buildings and grounds director.

Red Wing School Board members met Monday for a workshop session that looked at what needs attention and what costs lie ahead.

District Finance Director Brad Johnson floated one funding possibility: a referendum that covers the district’s most critical capital projects – including roofs, parking lots and technology-related items – totaling $7.1 million.

He said it’s possible the money could come from the district’s general fund, though he reminded School Board members such a move would displace classroom funding.

Whether School Board members ultimately settle on a referendum as a funding mechanism remains months off, Supt. Stan Slessor said.

School Board members recommended looking at other possibilities for project funding, including formation of a facilities committee to research the issue.

No formal action was taken at the meeting.

See Wednesday’s print edition for the full story.

Tags: local news, red wing school board, local government, red wing, news