School Board Unanimously Approves November Referendum to Address Long-Term Facility Needs

At its regular meeting on June 26, 2025, the Cambridge-Isanti School Board unanimously approved a resolution to hold a special election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The ballot will include two questions seeking voter approval for a school building bond.

If approved, these investments will support the construction and equipping of additional classroom spaces to increase capacity; safety and security enhancements; deferred maintenance projects; renovations and updates to learning environments; and improvements to athletic and activity facilities.

This decision follows a comprehensive, community-led planning process that took place over several months. Nearly 60 community members served on the Facility Planning Task Force, representing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The group toured school facilities, reviewed building data and conditions, considered community feedback, and evaluated financial options to shape a plan that is grounded in local values and fiscal responsibility. It was this group of community representatives who ultimately brought forward the recommendation for the School Board to address long-term facility needs through a voter-approved referendum.

“This recommendation reflects the work of a dedicated and diverse group of community members who came together to study our facility needs and develop a thoughtful, fiscally responsible plan,” said Superintendent Dr. Nate Rudolph. “Their input, along with broad community feedback, helped shape a proposal that invests in our schools, supports student opportunities, and preserves our facilities as long-term community assets.”

What is the proposed plan?

Ballot Question 1 proposes an $87.1 million investment across all school sites to:

• Expand capacity in elementary buildings through construction and equipping of additional classroom spaces;
   
• Improve safety and security through updates to secure entrances and accessibility features;
   
• Address critical deferred maintenance needs and aging infrastructure;
   
• Modernize learning environments to support hands-on, project-based instruction; and
   
• Improve athletic and activity facilities for student and community use.

Ballot Question 2 proposes an additional $36.475 million investment (contingent on passage of Question 1) to:

• Construct a new indoor fieldhouse at Cambridge-Isanti High School to increase access to year-round athletic, recreational, and extracurricular opportunities for students and community members.

What is the taxpayer impact?

If approved, the bond referendum would result in the following estimated monthly tax impacts for a home valued at $300,000:

• Question 1 only: Approx. $5/month increase
   
• Question 2 only (requires passage of Q1): Approx. $11/month increase
   
• Both Questions Approved: Combined total of approx. $16/month

This investment takes advantage of expiring debt to reduce the overall impact on local taxpayers while allowing for significant improvements districtwide.

What comes next?

To help voters make an informed decision on this important investment, the District will provide referendum facts through a dedicated web page, community-wide mailings, informational meetings, and school tours. 

Watch for more details to come!

For additional facility planning information, visit cambridge-isanti.facilityfacts.org. Questions can be directed to dist-communications@c-ischools.org or 763-689-6188.