Stillwater school board members won’t expand their newest elementary school until after all the district’s long-term space needs are decided.
Board members voted 4-3 Thursday to delay a decision on a request from administration to borrow about $6 million to add six to eight classrooms to Brookview Elementary School. The Woodbury school opened in 2017.
District leaders say the new space is needed because about 240 new homes are expected nearby in the next few years.
Superintendent Denise Pontrelli said it was important to take short-term steps to be ready for additional students from new home construction as the district continues to plan for longer-term enrollment projections.
The board already voted in November to expand the school, and Thursday’s vote was to approve borrowing the money, to be repaid with the district’s lease levy, which is not subject to voter approval.
The make-up of the board has changed since November, and a new majority of members felt it was better to finish a long-term facilities study before committing to any construction projects.
“I’m not opposed to the addition. I’m not opposed to the funding mechanism,” said Sarah Stivland, a board member. “I am opposed to doing it now… when the report we heard tonight suggested there are a lot of other big questions we need to consider.”
Waiting means the soonest the new classrooms will be ready at Brookview is in 2021 — a year later than if they had decided Thursday to proceed as previously planned. It could take longer than that, depending on how district leaders decide to fund the project.
PAST SHIFTS HAVE RAISED CRITICISM
The Stillwater district has faced years of contentious debates over space and the best way to deal with growing enrollment in the district. The suburban southern part is growing rapidly, while the more rural northern half is not.
In 2016, board members narrowly voted to close three elementary schools, Marine, Withrow and Oak Park, with the goal of using limited resources more efficiently and equitably. The move set off a firestorm of criticism in the district and helped to remake the school board.
One of those newer members, Liz Weisberg, said voting to expand to Brookview without thorough community input was the same as saying to voters: “We just want your money, we don’t want your voice.”
BUILDING DESIGNED FOR EXPANSION
But board members and district officials in favor of the Brookview addition say the building was designed to be expanded. The district even tried to do so before the initial structure was finished.
“This is beyond a no-brainer for me,” said Jennifer Pelletier. “I quite honestly can’t come up with a single reason why we wouldn’t move forward.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
The long-term facilities study is expected to be completed by the end of this year. After it is finished, board members will decide the best way to fund needed expansions.
The board is also planning to ask voters for more funds for school operations. The district recently cut planned spending by more than $2 million for next school year to close a budget gap.