Future of Two Local Schools Now in the Hands of Voters

Sorry, this video is no longer available

Funding for a number of school projects in the region will be decided tomorrow including in DGF and Detroit Lakes.

It’s a hefty price tag. The  proposed building bond for DGF schools is close to $32 million and Detroit Lakes is $68 million.

Both schools are limited in space and have extensive plans to expand but the question is, what do the voters think?

Two different schools and they share one problem.

“Currently four of the five building we have our over capacity,” says Detroit Lakes School Superintendent, Doug Froke.

“We are just running out of space,” says DGF School Superintendent, Brian Thygeson.

DGF is proposing a new childhood center, expanding classroom sizes and improving traffic flow.

Detroit Lakes has plans for a new middle school, expanded elementary school and additions to its high school.

“Our classrooms are full, our buildings are showing their wear and tear,” says Froke.

To show just how full they really are, Detroit Lakes featured pictures on the school website to prove it.

One shows students having to balance lunch trays on their laps.

“We really need to make some great decisions where there will be room for our children to grow and learn and this starts at a young age,” says DGF School Volunteer, Tracy Ellenbaum.

“In just a few minutes kids will line up here to wait for their buses, but if the referendum passes about 200 kids will go to a new building and that will help ease some congested traffic.”

“Anyone who has come to our site knows that we have a double parking when people are trying to drop off their kids,” says Thygeson.

But whether you’re vote is yes or no, school officials just want you to show up.

“The only thing we ask is vote,” says Froke.

A vote that will determine the future for these schools.

Voting begins at 7 A.M. and goes until 8 pm.

Polling places for Detroit Lakes include Trinity Lutheran Church and Community Alliance Church.

For DGF, Residents outside Dilworth city limits can vote at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School.

Residents in Dilworth city limits can vote at Dilworth Community Center.

Polling Places for Detroit Lakes include Trinity Lutheran Church and Community Alliance Church.