Across our great state, many Minnesota school districts recently brought bond referendums and operating levies to their communities. Each proposal reflected local needs. Some districts sought funding for operations, some sought new facilities or major additions, while others focused on improving critical infrastructure and systems that have reached the end of their useful life. Regardless of the scope, cost was central to every conversation.
School facilities are significant to the health and well-being of everyone—students, families, and community. The decision to invest in facilities is never made lightly. Leaders and voters must rightly weigh school proposals against local priorities, tax impacts, and community values. We are careful and cautious, choosing at times to wait instead of taking on huge community questions. We wait…for better politics, for better funding, for a better tax climate. Waiting may be the right answer; waiting, sometimes, is the only answer. But waiting, we know, also has a cost.
“Projects not funded today will almost certainly cost more in the future.”
When maintenance and replacement projects are delayed, problems rarely improve with time. Leaking roofs get worse, heating and cooling systems become less efficient, and learning environments grow outdated. Deferred maintenance can mushroom into expensive emergency repairs. Construction and renovation costs rise every year—driven by inflation, material shortages, and labor demand—meaning that projects not funded today will almost certainly cost more in the future. Facilities directors, school leaders, financial planners, and community members often share a common lament when their schools have “missed” a cycle of investment in their buildings.
Outdated or failing facilities can affect educational outcomes, staff retention, commercial investment, and community pride. After visits this fall to nearly 60 district offices, it is clear that schools are the heart of Minnesota communities! Protecting and improving them ensures they continue to serve future generations.
Each community must decide what facilities investments are right for them, but routine investments are required to maximize the viability and adequacy of a community’s schools. Waiting comes with its own price tag. At Widseth, we’ve seen firsthand how proactive planning and cyclical investment in solutions today can protect facilities and communities against even greater expenses tomorrow. Our goal is to help each district we work with find the most sensible solution based on its own unique characteristics.
