Skip To Main Content

Building Bond and Capital Levy 2026

Community Information Session

The district will host a Community Information Session on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Stock Exchange Room at South St. Paul Secondary (700 2nd St N, SSP). Attendees will learn about the proposed bond referendum for the May 12, 2026 Special School District Election. This session is a chance for stakeholders to ask questions and hear about the District’s plans to maintain safe, functional learning environments.

A Legacy Worth Protecting

For more than a century, South St. Paul Public Schools has been a source of Packer Pride and a cornerstone of our community. As our school buildings age and educational needs evolve, the district has been working with families, staff, and community members to create a thoughtful, long-term plan to care for and maintain our facilities.

On May 12, 2026, South St. Paul Public Schools will ask voters to consider two related ballot questions focused on facility stewardship and long-term financial planning:

  • A bond referendum addressing the most critical facility needs, those necessary to keep our schools safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming for students, staff, families, and community members.
     
  • A capital projects levy renewal that would continue to support ongoing safety, security, and technology needs.

These proposals are limited in scope and designed to work together. The bond covers only essential repairs, not enhancements, while the levy simply continues existing funding. Together, they take a responsible approach to maintaining current facilities while respecting the community’s financial capacity.

How Will the Funds be Used?

Building Bond

As the district’s 2013 building bond nears payoff, the 2026 bond proposal would allow South St. Paul Public Schools to address some of its most urgent facility needs, focusing on maintaining safe, reliable learning environments across the district.

Projects would focus on essential building systems and safety needs. While this bond would not address all identified facility needs, it would allow the district to make meaningful progress on the most critical priorities.

Capital Projects Levy

The capital projects levy provides ongoing funding for safety, security, and technology needs across South St. Paul Public Schools. Renewing the levy would allow the district to continue maintaining and updating systems that support safe, secure, and well-functioning schools.

SOUTH ST. PAUL SECONDARY (Grades 6–12)

368,000 sq. ft | $30 Million
  • Building Systems Upgrades. Replace outdated electrical, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, including upgrades to the main power infrastructure. The project would relocate the building’s power connection to the exterior, transferring maintenance responsibility to the utility provider. This change improves system reliability, enhances safety, and reduces long-term costs for the district.
  • Roof and Exterior Repairs. Repair roof sections and brickwork to prevent leaks and protect the building.
  • Interior Improvements. Update aged locker rooms and interior finishes to improve safety, functionality, and ADA accessibility.
  • Outdoor Improvements. Reconstruct Ettinger Field, including bleachers, press box, and lighting, and improve safety and ADA access. Portions of the field date back to the 1930s.
  • ADA Accessibility Improvements. Improve select entrances, seating, restrooms, and pathways to increase access to programs and events.
  • Packer Pathways Learning Spaces. Updates to select learning spaces will support hands-on, career-connected experiences for students:
    • Industrial Technology Lab - support trades, construction, and problem‑solving
    • Consumer Science Lab - build practical life skills and explore culinary and hospitality careers
    • Business and Entrepreneurship Center and School Store - create a student-run retail space where students gain real-world experience in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

What this means: Fewer disruptions, comfortable classrooms, safer and more accessible spaces, and learning environments aligned to student interests.

Ettinger Field 

Ettinger field stairs
Ettinger field bleachers

Secondary Locker Rooms 

secondary locker room
secondary locker room

Consumer Science Lab 

consumer science lab

 

District Wide- Air Handler Systems 

air handling unit
air handling unit

 

CENTRAL SQUARE COMMUNITY CENTER

43,000 sq. ft. | $3.4 million

Home to the district pool, community education, and senior programming.

  • Building Systems Upgrades. Replace aged electrical and mechanical systems. Pool moisture and chlorine accelerate wear, increasing the need for replacement.
  • Restroom Renovations. Remodel aged restroom facilities to improve ADA accessibility and usability for all users.
  • Health and Safety Improvements. Address asbestos where needed to maintain a safe environment.

What this means: Reliable spaces for programs, improved accessibility, and safe, welcoming facilities for the community.

LINCOLN CENTER ELEMENTARY (PreK–5)

181,000 sq. ft. | $15 million
  • Building Systems Upgrades. Replace outdated electrical, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, including upgrades to the main power infrastructure. The project would relocate the building’s power connection to the exterior, transferring maintenance responsibility to the utility provider. This change improves system reliability, enhances safety, and reduces long-term costs for the district.
  • Restroom Renovations. Remodel restrooms to improve functionality and ADA accessibility.
  • Health and Safety Improvements. Address asbestos where needed.

What this means: Reliable systems, updated and accessible restrooms, and safe, well-maintained spaces for students.

ROOSEVELT TENNIS COURTS

Estimated Investment: $1.6 million
  • Court Reconstruction. Replace existing courts with new asphalt, surfacing, and nets to improve safety and playability.
  • Accessibility and Usability Improvements. Improve surrounding areas for safer movement and better access.

What this means: Safer, more reliable courts for school and community use.

cracks in roosevelt tennis courts
cracks in roosevelt tennis courts

 

Capital Projects Levy Renewal

  • Security Cameras. Update and improve security camera systems to support safe school environments and reliable monitoring across all buildings.
  • Communication Systems. Update and strengthen communication systems including phone systems and other tools, to support school operations, emergency response, and strengthen connections with families and the community.
  • Technology Infrastructure. Update and strengthen network systems, hardware, and technology infrastructure to support teaching, learning, and district operations.
  • Cybersecurity. Strengthen cybersecurity to protect district systems and sensitive information by preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats

District Wide- Electrical Units 

electrical

 

The image contains the text %22Maintain our spaces... Engage. Educate. Empower.%22 along with the acronym %22SSP%22 and the phrase %22That make learning possible%22 against a white background with two gray shapes on either side.

Special Election voting Information

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Election Day Voting

For this election only,  ALL VOTERS will vote at: 

Lawshe Museum
130 3rd Ave N, South St. Paul
(across the street from City Hall)
7:00 am-8:00 pm

Absentee Voting

South St. Paul City Hall
(125 3rd Avenue North)
Monday-Friday 
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Dakota County Administration Center
(1590 Highway 55, Hastings)
Monday -Friday 
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Also:
Saturday, May 9 (9:00-3:00 pm)
Monday, May 11 (8:00-5:00 pm)

Beginning Friday, April 24:
Direct balloting offered during days/hours noted above

Click for more information on voting

Information Flyer

Mailer-11x17SSP-422026-Option2 (PDF)

Informational Videos

View the whole playlist on YouTube

Referendum Purpose
Ettinger Field
Trades Courses
Packer Pride
Being Proactive
School Store
Roosevelt Tennis Courts
Updating Systems
Community Collaboration
Election Timing
Locker Rooms
School Board Responsibility
Current Facilities
Student Success

Why Now?

South St. Paul Public Schools last asked voters to approve a building bond in 2013. While many school districts renew facility bonds every five to seven years, SSPPS has gone more than a decade without a major reinvestment in its buildings.

Today, many building systems are at or beyond their expected lifespan. As facilities continue to age, the risk of system failures, safety concerns, and costly emergency repairs increases. Delaying needed maintenance does not make the work go away, it makes it more expensive.

Construction and material costs continue to rise locally and nationally. Addressing critical needs now allows the district to stabilize long-term costs, avoid higher future expenses, and protect the community’s investment in its schools.

As the 2013 bond nears payoff, the district has a unique opportunity to reinvest in essential facility maintenance with a minimal tax impact, rather than allowing deferred maintenance to grow unchecked.

Why isn't annual funding enough?

South St. Paul Public Schools maintains nearly 768,397 square feet of facilities, many of which are between 70 and 100 years old. A comprehensive facilities review conducted in 2022 identified more than $150 million in deferred maintenance needs across the district. While the district receives approximately $1 million annually from the state for facility maintenance, this funding is only sufficient for basic repairs and emergency situations—not the large-scale or long-term improvements aging buildings require.

Industry guidelines recommend reinvesting 2-4% of a building’s replacement value each year to keep facilities in good condition. For South St. Paul Public Schools, that equates to roughly $7.8 million to $15.6 million annually. As a result, the gap between available resources and actual needs continues to grow, leading to an increasing backlog of deferred maintenance.

Without reinvestment, these needs do not go away. Instead, they heighten the risk of system failures, create safety concerns, and often result in more costly emergency repairs over time. To address large-scale facility improvements beyond what annual funding can support, public school districts like South St. Paul often rely on voter-approved bond referendums.

$150 million in deferred maintenance needs identified
$1 million annual state funding for building maintenance

Our Buildings and facilities

South St. Paul Public Schools operates and maintains multiple school and district facilities built across several decades, including:

  • Lincoln Center Elementary (PreK–5), built in 1950
  • Kaposia Education Center (PreK–5), built in 1993
  • South St. Paul Secondary (grades 6–12), originally built in 1921
  • Community Learning Center (grades 10–12), built in 1972
  • Central Square, built in 1963
  • District Service Center, built in 1920
  • Roosevelt Field and Tennis Courts

These facilities serve thousands of students, staff, families, and community members each year and require ongoing investment to remain safe, functional, accessible, and welcoming.

 

Estimated Tax Impact Chart

Property Tax Calculator

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS