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WINTER ACTIVITES: Lights contest, toy drive, recreation programs PAGE 3
Kids meaning for the season
Genevieve Strehlow, 6, of Mahtomedi, is the winner of the Press Publications Thanksgiving artwork challenge. Also pictured is second-place winner (top right) Evelyn Wald, 10, of Blaine, and
third-place winner (bottom right) Amelia Derkey, 6, of Dellwood. See inside to learn more about the local artist behind the idea. SEE MEET THE ARTIST, PAGE 22
School board moves forward with maintenance project bonds BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Facility maintenance projects in the White Bear Lake Area School District are getting their next round of funding, this time to the tune of $34 million. The school board unanimously approved a resolution of intent to issue general obligation facilities maintenance bonds totaling $34,505,000 at its meeting Nov. 14. The bonds are the latest in a series of bonds that are set to be distributed over several years to fund the district’s long-term facility maintenance projects. Tim Wald, assistant superintendent for finance and
operations, said during the meeting these bonds were factored into the original tax impact statement before district voters passed the $326 million Building Our Future bond referendum for broader district facility changes in November 2019. The $34 million bond issuance will fund various updates at the high school’s North Campus. Those will include accessibility upgrades related to sinks, counters, drinking fountains, doors, restrooms and the elevator. Other maintenance improvements will consist of mechanical, plumbing and electrical infrastructure replacements. The maintenance work will occur over the next several years, according to Wald. “We have a pretty aggressive 10-year plan to address the maintenance of our buildings. The signifi-
cant amount of maintenance of the 17 buildings that we operate — it’s almost impossible to tackle it all,” Wald said. “We're happy that within our Building Our Future bond referendum, we're able to tag some of those deferred maintenance projects. Our buildings should be in pretty good shape for a good long time.” School board Chair Jessica Ellison referenced page 108 of the meeting packet, where the bond’s maintenance projects are listed on the right side under the fiscal year 2023 box. “These are the things that we don't always see on a day-to-day basis but that need to be done. These types SEE BOND FUNDING, PAGE 2
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