Description of Proposed School Construction Project Windom Public School District, ISD #0177-01 is proposing a two-question referendum on February 10, 2026. The first ballot question would authorize $27.5 million in bonding authority to finance facility and site improvements at the middle/high school. The largest project components are building additions that would house an auditorium and a gymnastics gymnasium. Other proposed facility improvements include renovations to the existing locker room area and wrestling room. The first ballot question also includes outdoor athletic upgrades, including: an artificial turf field, new track and new parking lots. The second ballot question would authorize $1.65 million in bonding authority to finance additional athletic field upgrades that include youth ball fields and football/soccer practice fields. The proposed projects would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2026 through 2027. Cost estimates by ballot question/project cost component are as follows: Project Cost Estimates Ballot Question #1 Ballot Question #2 High School Building Improvements: Outdoor Athletic Upgrades: Auditorium Addition $9,768,000 Youth Ball Fields (2) $975,000 Gymnastics Addition $1,180,000 Football/Soccer Fields (2) $320,000 Wrestling Room $1,518,750 Fees, Permits & Testing $229,192 Locker Room Renovations $810,000 Contingencies $115,808 Storm Shelter Requirement $1,676,750 Bond Issuance $22,208 Fees, Permits & Testing $2,749,800 Project Costs - Question #2 $1,662,208 Contingencies $1,271,047 FF&E $224,303 $19,198,650 Outdoor Athletic Upgrades: Artificial Turf Field $4,260,000 Track $1,260,000 New Parking Lots $330,000 Fees, Permits & Testing $1,053,000 Contingencies $667,273 $7,570,273 Other Costs: Bond Issuance Capitalized Interest $574,100 $356,250 $930,350 Total Project Costs Question #1 $27,699,273 The district last went to the voters in May of 2025 with a similar, though single ballot question, bond referendum. The single ballot question narrowly failed to pass. The current referendum proposal is very similar to the May 2025 referendum but adds a second ballot question for the ballfield and football/soccer practice fields. The district has supplied operational cost estimates for the proposed projects and is aware that the artificial turf field would require regular maintenance, along with the purchase of new equipment, to clean, monitor surface hardness, replenish rubber crumbs on the field; and that the artificial turf surface will need to be replaced every 10-12 years at a cost of around $500,000. The proposed projects appear to be in the long-term interest of the school district. If the bond referendum is successful and bonds are sold, the debt service on the bonds will be eligible for debt service equalization under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.53, subdivision 3, if the bond schedule is approved. The amount of debt service equalization aid, if any, the district receives is determined annually and is dependent upon property wealth, student population, and other statutory requirements Review and Comment Statement Based on the department's analysis of the school district's required documentation and other pertinent information from sources of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment. Additional Information is Available Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent's office. NML ** Willie L. Jett II Commissioner December 1, 2025 Description of Proposed School Construction Project Windom Public School District , ISD # 0177-01 is proposing a two - question referendum on February 10 , 2026. The first ballot question would authorize $ 27.5 million in bonding authority to finance facility and site improvements at the middle / high school . The largest project components are building additions that would house an auditorium and a gymnastics gymnasium . Other proposed facility improvements include renovations to the existing locker room area and wrestling room . The first ballot question also includes outdoor athletic upgrades , including : an artificial turf field , new track and new parking lots . The second ballot question would authorize $ 1.65 million in bonding authority to finance additional athletic field upgrades that include youth ball fields and football / soccer practice fields . The proposed projects would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2026 through 2027. Cost estimates by ballot question / project cost component are as follows : Project Cost Estimates Ballot Question # 1 Ballot Question # 2 High School Building Improvements : Outdoor Athletic Upgrades : Auditorium Addition $ 9,768,000 Youth Ball Fields ( 2 ) $ 975,000 Gymnastics Addition $ 1,180,000 Football / Soccer Fields ( 2 ) $ 320,000 Wrestling Room $ 1,518,750 Fees , Permits & Testing $ 229,192 Locker Room Renovations $ 810,000 Contingencies $ 115,808 Storm Shelter Requirement $ 1,676,750 Bond Issuance $ 22,208 Fees , Permits & Testing $ 2,749,800 Project Costs - Question # 2 $ 1,662,208 Contingencies $ 1,271,047 FF & E $ 224,303 $ 19,198,650 Outdoor Athletic Upgrades : Artificial Turf Field $ 4,260,000 Track $ 1,260,000 New Parking Lots $ 330,000 Fees , Permits & Testing $ 1,053,000 Contingencies $ 667,273 $ 7,570,273 Other Costs : Bond Issuance Capitalized Interest $ 574,100 $ 356,250 $ 930,350 Total Project Costs Question # 1 $ 27,699,273 The district last went to the voters in May of 2025 with a similar , though single ballot question , bond referendum . The single ballot question narrowly failed to pass . The current referendum proposal is very similar to the May 2025 referendum but adds a second ballot question for the ballfield and football / soccer practice fields . The district has supplied operational cost estimates for the proposed projects and is aware that the artificial turf field would require regular maintenance , along with the purchase of new equipment , to clean , monitor surface hardness , replenish rubber crumbs on the field ; and that the artificial turf surface will need to be replaced every 10-12 years at a cost of around $ 500,000 . The proposed projects appear to be in the long - term interest of the school district . If the bond referendum is successful and bonds are sold , the debt service on the bonds will be eligible for debt service equalization under Minnesota Statutes , section 123B.53 , subdivision 3 , if the bond schedule is approved . The amount of debt service equalization aid , if any , the district receives is determined annually and is dependent upon property wealth , student population , and other statutory requirements Review and Comment Statement Based on the department's analysis of the school district's required documentation and other pertinent information from sources of the Minnesota Department of Education , the Commissioner of Education provides a positive review and comment . Additional Information is Available Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent's office . NML ** Willie L. Jett II Commissioner December 1 , 2025