Neighbors for School Excellence in District 742
Neighbors for School Excellence in District 742
Embedded Files
Early Voting Starts Feb. 21st!
What's at stake?
What's at stake?
On April 8th, voters in District 742 will have the opportunity to vote to make some much-needed improvements to Apollo High School. There will be two questions on the ballot. The first question must pass in order for the second question to pass.
Question 1:
Question 1:
Provides $50MM for necessary updates to Apollo High School, including a secure building entrance, a storm shelter, and new flexible learning spaces.
Question 2:
Question 2:
Provides and additional $15MM for the construction of an indoor athletic facility for use by the entire community.
Why do we need this?
Why do we need this?
Safety
Our kids deserve a safe place to go to school. Apollo is the only district school that does not have a safe and secure entrance. The secure entrance will allow the school to control who is entering the building.
Moreover, current build code requires that any improvements made to the building include the addition of a storm shelter capable of holding all the students, faculty, and staff.
Opportunity for Career Success
The improvements to the school will create flexible learning spaces and Advanced Pathways for Career Readiness. Tech High School has specialized learning pathways in Communications; Construction and Building Trades; Environmental Sciences; Health Careers; and Robotics. With the proposed improvements, Apollo will be able to offer pathways in Data and Computer Science; Engineering, Manufacturing, and Mechanics; Creative, Performing, and Fine Arts; and Emergency Management Response. Students at either school will be able to enroll in courses at either campus.
Continued Academic Excellence
Apollo will continue in it's tradition of providing top flight educational opportunities to all students. Nearly 20% of all students at Apollo are enrolled in college credits via AP classes, College in the Schools, and PSEO.
Why now?
Why now?
In 2015, District 742 proposed a single question for school improvements: $113.8MM for a new Tech High School, and $46.5MM for Apollo. The question failed to pass.
In 2016 the questions were split. The question for $104.5MM for Tech passed, but the Apollo question for $38.8MM failed. The new Tech High School is thriving, while Apollo remains in need of many improvements.
In 2020 the School Board was ready to propose a $53.5MM Bond for Apollo, but the vote was postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
Now in 2025, we need to act.
What's the timeline?
What's the timeline?
If the measures pass, the final design and drawings will be completed through 2025 and 2026. Bidding for construction would occur in the 4th quarter of 2026. Construction would begin in the spring of 2027, and be completed by the time school opens in 2028.
What will it cost me?
What will it cost me?
For an average Saint Cloud home valued at $250k, the annual tax impact is $28.95 for Question 1, and $11.01 for Question 2. That works out to only $3.33 per month for the average home owner.
Even with this new spending, Saint Cloud will have the lowest school taxes of any of the surrounding districts. (Sartell/St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids/Rice, Rocori, Saint Cloud.)
How can I help?
How can I help?
Want to help spread the word and get out the vote? Contact us here!
More Information
More Information
If you'd like to learn more, please visit District 742's web page.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse