Description of Proposed School Construction Project Windom Public School District, ISD # 0177-01, is proposing a single question referendum on May 13, 2025, that 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. Proposed site improvements focus on outdoor athletic upgrades and include: an artificial turf field for the stadium, a building to house concessions, locker rooms and restrooms; a soccer field, football practice fields, ballfields and a new track. The projects proposed would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2026 and 2027. Cost estimates by project component are as follows: Project Cost Estimates High School Building Improvements: Outdoor Athletic Upgrades: Auditorium Addition $9,934,700 Artificial Turf Field $4,532,927 Gymnastics Addition $2,719,804 Track Replacement $1,035,139 Wrestling Room $1,379,998 Additional Parking Lots $356,757 Locker Room Renovations $782,408 Ballfields $1,091,026 Site Upgrades $420,608 Football/Soccer Fields $310,742 Fees, Permits & Contingencies $2,580,755 Fees, Permits & Contingencies $1,215,781 $17,818,273 $8,542,372 Other Project Costs: Capitalized Interest Bond Issuance $687,500 $847,265 $1,534,765 Total Project Costs $27,895,410 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. WMD,* Willie L. Jett II Commissioner February 25, 2025 Description of Proposed School Construction Project Windom Public School District , ISD # 0177-01 , is proposing a single question referendum on May 13 , 2025 , that 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 . Proposed site improvements focus on outdoor athletic upgrades and include : an artificial turf field for the stadium , a building to house concessions , locker rooms and restrooms ; a soccer field , football practice fields , ballfields and a new track . The projects proposed would be scheduled for completion in calendar years 2026 and 2027. Cost estimates by project component are as follows : Project Cost Estimates High School Building Improvements : Outdoor Athletic Upgrades : Auditorium Addition $ 9,934,700 Artificial Turf Field $ 4,532,927 Gymnastics Addition $ 2,719,804 Track Replacement $ 1,035,139 Wrestling Room $ 1,379,998 Additional Parking Lots $ 356,757 Locker Room Renovations $ 782,408 Ballfields $ 1,091,026 Site Upgrades $ 420,608 Football / Soccer Fields $ 310,742 Fees , Permits & Contingencies $ 2,580,755 Fees , Permits & Contingencies $ 1,215,781 $ 17,818,273 $ 8,542,372 Other Project Costs : Capitalized Interest Bond Issuance $ 687,500 $ 847,265 $ 1,534,765 Total Project Costs $ 27,895,410 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 . WMD , * Willie L. Jett II Commissioner February 25 , 2025