Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748

Future Minded, Student Focused

Special Election - Tuesday, February 11, 2025

At their October meeting, the Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 School Board voted to bring two facility improvement projects to voters in a special election scheduled for February 11, 2025.

Two Questions on the Ballot (sample ballot is below)
Question #1: Riverview Intermediate School - Indoor Air Quality/HVAC
Riverview Intermediate School, a cornerstone of our community since it opened as our first high school in 1969, is in critical need of updates to its HVAC system:

Current system dates back to the building’s original construction.

Proposal addresses maintenance needs, ensuring classrooms and spaces where temperatures are controlled for a productive learning environment.

Total is $21.93 million to fund indoor air quality upgrades and deferred maintenance at Riverview Intermediate School.

Question #2: Sartell High School - Physical Education/Outdoor Athletic Facilities
The space is part of Phase 2 of the Facilities Master Plan (2015):

If Question #1 is approved, voters may also consider an additional referendum question that includes the construction of a multi-purpose athletic facility for physical education classes, track and field, football, lacrosse, and soccer.

The proposed facility will feature artificial turf, allowing for increased durability and extended use throughout the year by our students and community organizations.

Total is $8.485 million to support outdoor improvements at Sartell High School.

Sample Ballot

The projects will appear on the ballot as separate questions. Question 2 is dependent upon Question 1’s approval (if Question 1 does not pass, Question 2 cannot pass).

Please see the sample ballot below (or click on it to open in a separate window):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16DRfztDVDUVi5iKW05hyW3sPAyisqaDO/preview

Voting
Please visit our Elections webpage (www.isd748.org/elections) for details including voting locations and absetee voting.

Absentee/early voting is available in-person at the District Service Center (212 3rd Street N, Sartell, MN 56303. Enter through Door 10, near the playground); it is available Monday-Friday through February 10, 2025.

Tax Impact: Calculator and Table

Videos

Please click the graphics or links below to view a short video overview about each question.

www.isd748.org/Question1_RIS

www.isd748.org/Question2_SHS

Community Presentations

All are welcome to attend community presentations. Unable to make a presentation? Please view our Narrated Slides to learn more.

Tuesday, January 7 at 6p
Riverview Intermediate School

Monday, January 13 at 4p
Sartell High School

Wednesday, January 22 at 5p
Riverview Intermediate School

Thursday, January 30 at 6p
Sartell High School

Wednesday, February 5 at 6p
Riverview Intermediate School

Narrated Slides

Links to Narrated Slides

Difficulty accessings the Narrated Slides on our Google Drive? Please use these links:

Intro with Superintendent Rivard - 2 minutes and 58 seconds - link to video

Question 1 Overview with RIS Principal Dingmann - 3 minutes and 19 seconds - link to video

HVAC Overview with Director of Buildings & Grounds Jesse Paggen - 2 minutes and 42 seconds - link to video

Finance Overview with Director of Business Services Joe Prom - 5 minutes and 36 seconds - link to video

Question 2 Overview with SHS Principal Shayne Kusler - 1 minute and 12 seconds - link to video

Question 2 Overview with Activities Director Bruce Thompson - 11 minutes and 10 seconds - link to video

Additional Information

VOTE 2025: Questions & Answers
December 20 - Podcast focusing on Question 2

This podcast episode was shared with families/staff and posted on social media on December 20, 2024.

Referendum Focus: Question 2 - Sartell High School - Outdoor Facilities Improvements

If Question #1 is approved, voters may also consider an additional referendum question that includes the construction of a multi-purpose athletic facility for physical education classes, track and field, football, lacrosse, and soccer.

Superintendent Michael Rivard is joined by Principal Shayne Kusler and Activities Director Bruce Thompson.

To listen: please click the graphic or here for an alternate format.
December 13 - Podcast focusing on Question 1
This podcast episode was shared with families/staff and posted on social media on December 13, 2024.

Referendum Focus: Question 1 - Riverview Intermediate School - Indoor Air Quality/HVAC

Riverview Intermediate School, a cornerstone of our community since it opened as our first high school in 1969, is in critical need of updates to its HVAC system.

Listen to our latest podcast to learn more with Superintendent Rivard, Principal Zach Dingmann, Director of Buildings and Grounds Jesse Paggen, and Director of Business Services Joe Prom as they discuss the:
- Current system dates back to the building’s original construction.
- Proposal addresses maintenance needs, ensuring classrooms and spaces where temperatures are controlled for a productive learning environment.
- Total is $21.93 million to fund indoor air quality upgrades and deferred maintenance at Riverview Intermediate School.
To listen: please click the graphic or here for an alternate format.
December 11 - Message from Superintendent Rivard and School Board Chair Meling
This was emailed to staff and families on December 11, 2024.

ISD 748 families: Please read this important message from Superintendent Rivard and School Board Chair Tricia Meling about the Special Election on Tuesday, February 11.

Overview
The Sartell-St. Stephen School District is asking voters to consider a two-question referendum on February 11, 2025, to address critical facility needs and ensure the continued excellence of our schools. This decision is pivotal for our students, staff, and the broader community as we work together to maintain and improve the spaces where learning, collaboration, and growth happen every day.

Two Questions on the Ballot
Question #1: Riverview Intermediate School - Indoor Air Quality/HVAC
To view a video overview for Question 1, please click www.isd748.org/Question1_RIS.

Riverview Intermediate School, a cornerstone of our community since it opened as our first high school in 1969, is in critical need of updates to its HVAC system:
- Current system dates back to the building’s original construction.
- Proposal addresses maintenance needs, ensuring classrooms and spaces where temperatures are controlled for a productive learning environment.
- Total is $21.93 million to fund indoor air quality upgrades and deferred maintenance at Riverview Intermediate School.
Question #2: Sartell High School - Physical Education/Outdoor Athletic Facilities
To view a video overview for Question 2, please click www.isd748.org/Question2_SHS.

The space is part of Phase 2 of the Facilities Master Plan (2015):
- If Question #1 is approved, voters may also consider an additional referendum question that includes the construction of a multi-purpose athletic facility for physical education classes, track and field, football, lacrosse, and soccer.
- The proposed facility will feature artificial turf, allowing for increased durability and extended use throughout the year by our students and community organizations.
- Total is $8.485 million to support outdoor improvements at Sartell High School.
Learn More
The District remains committed to providing detailed information to help residents make an informed decision. For details - including a Tax Impact Calculator - please visit www.isd748.org/VOTE2025. Community members are encouraged to visit our website, attend informational forums, and reach out with questions to via email.

Thank you,

Dr. Michael Rivard and Tricia Meling
November 22 - Message from School Board Chair Tricia Meling
This message was shared with ISD 748 staff and families on November 22, 2024.

ISD 748 families: Please read this message from School Board Chair Tricia Meling.
Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 families,

At our October 28th meeting, the Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 School Board voted to bring two facility improvement projects to voters in a special election scheduled for February 11, 2025.

The projects will appear on the ballot as separate questions. Question 2 is dependent upon Question 1’s approval (if Question 1 does not pass, Question 2 cannot pass):
- Question 1: Riverview Intermediate School - Indoor Air Quality/HVAC
  Proposal to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $21.93 million for the betterment of school facilities including indoor air quality upgrades.
- Question 2: Sartell High School - Physical Education/Outdoor Athletic Facilities
  Proposal to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $8.485 million for betterment of school facilities including outdoor improvements to physical education spaces and athletic fields.
If both questions are approved, the estimated tax impact on a home valued at $300,000 in the Sartell-St. Stephen School District would be approximately $109 a year; here is an example of how each question would impact taxpayers on a monthly and annual basis:
- Question 1/Riverview: $6.54 month ($78.49 annual)
- Question 2/Sartell High School: $2.54 month ($30.44 annual)
- Both Questions 1 and 2: $9.08 month ($108.93 annual)
To learn more about the projects, please attend one of the following information sessions; more will be added to our calendars:
- Monday, December 2 at 9:30a - Sartell Senior Connection at the Sartell Community Center
- Tuesday, December 10 at 4:30p - Superintendent Rivard at Sartell High School
- Thursday, December 12 at 7p - Sartell Senior Connection at Sartell Community Center
There will be updates between now and February 11. Please visit www.isd748.org/VOTE2025 for updates
Tricia Meling
Chair
Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748 School Board

Learn More: Resources

Web Resources
Our Elections page
Details about the ballot and where to vote (including information about requesting an absentee ballot).

Our Construction page
Details about the Indoor Air Quality/HVAC at Riverview Intermediate School.

Media Coverage

Vote for Sartell-St. Stephen referendums coming up on February 11
WJON - January 15 2025

Early voting open for two area school district referendums
St. Cloud Live - January 13, 2025

Description of proposed school construction project
Newsleaders - December 20, 2024

Sartell schools seeking votes for new athletic fields, HVAC system
St. Cloud Times - December 10, 2024

Superintendent corner: Voters face crucial school decisions Feb. 11
Newsleader - December 9, 2024

Schools districts will ask voters for improvements during 2025 referendums
St. Cloud Live - November 21, 2024

3 St. Cloud Metro Schools Have Referendums in 2025
Kat Kountry 105 - November 20, 2024

Sartell Schools To Have Two Referendum Questions On Feb. Ballot
WJON - November 19, 2024

Questions & Answers

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tQnyolKbriYdzILynOsy50tU0E9zUFJT2VVj-Cv4-CY/preview

Contact Us

Questions?

Questions? Please reach out via email.

Last Modified on Monday at 2:59 PM

Sartell-St. Stephen ISD 748

Future Minded, Student Focused

Special Election - Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Sample Ballot

Tax Impact: Calculator and Table

Tax Impact Calculator

Estimated Tax Impact - table

Videos

Community Presentations

Narrated Slides

Links to Narrated Slides

Additional Information

VOTE 2025: Questions & Answers

December 20 - Podcast focusing on Question 2

December 13 - Podcast focusing on Question 1

December 11 - Message from Superintendent Rivard and School Board Chair Meling

November 22 - Message from School Board Chair Tricia Meling

Learn More: Resources

Questions & Answers

Contact Us