Referendum Round Two for Perham-Dent Schools

The future for the Perham–Dent School District is back in the hands of its voters.

Tomorrow’s ballot will feature two questions for voters. Question one is a $45 million plan and is about $13 million less than its last referendum in May which lost 55 to 45%.

This time around, the referendum was developed by a community task force.

Behind the walls of Perham High School holds a rich history.

But at 100 years old the building is well past its prime.

“Even simple things like heating or distribution of the AC or if you go and look at our basement it’s a lot of mold and deterioration that could use a lot of work,” says Perham High School Senior, Marina Reese.

Work that will cost voters money.

But are they willing to pay?

“At what point do you draw the line and continue to dump money into a building or build new and unanimously our task force which is made up of 22 volunteers from the community said it’s the time and place to build new,” says Perham-Dent Superintendent, Mitch Anderson.

The $45 million plan includes a new high school, new preschool and renovations to its current middle school.

The school district is also asking for a $6 million dollar auditorium which was pulled from May’s referendum and now included as a second question.

“We’ve stressed the lowest tax impact we can. I feel strongly it’s only going to go higher if this one doesn’t pass,” says Anderson.

“The new high school would go right next to its already existing middle school. The new building would have increased security to ensure safety for all its students.”

And there could be a new future for the current high school too.

“If we have a chance to buy this facility we would fix it up for a number of organizations including the boys and girls club, kinship, adult education,” says KLN Family Brands President & CEO, Kenny Nelson.

A building with a future, that high schoolers like Marina are hoping is not for them.

“Not the best learning environment and doesn’t represent how great our community is as a whole,” says Reese.

If the $45 million referendum passes the tax impact would be $124 for a $150,000 home.

The $6 million auditorium would have a tax impact of $30 a year.