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Wayzata schools consider expansion future
The Wayzata Public School Board is voting to approve plans to build new schools and expand others within the district — improvements it says are needed to accommodate more students. FOX 9’s Mike Manzoni is live from the meeting as the board considers its future expansion.
WAYZATA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Facing climbing enrollment and limited space for students, the Wayzata Public Schools board on Monday night voted to move forward with plans to build two new schools and expand others, a move that would ultimately require voter approval since it would be paid for with a property tax hike.
Wayzata advances plan to build new schools, expand others
The plans:
The district plans to build two new schools in Medina, one elementary school and one middle school.
The new elementary school would accommodate 900 students while the new middle school would hold 800.
In addition, the proposal includes plans to expand Wayzata High School to accommodate an extra 900 students. The district also plans to expand other schools.
What they're saying:
"We knew that we were going to outgrow our capacity," said Superintendent Dr. Chace Anderson, noting that enrollment has grown steadily for nearly 20 years. "Last year, we were up between 350 to 400 students, so it is a trend that we’ve experienced for a number of years, and we’re anticipating that that’s going to continue for several years into the future."
Property tax hike would pay for new schools, expansions
How much it will cost:
The district plans to ask voters to approve a pair of referendums totaling $496 million.
It estimates that the average homeowner, with the average home value in the district being $650,000, would pay an additional $396 per year, or $33 a month.
This is the second time in just over 10 years the district has held a referendum to make more room for students. In 2014, voters approved $110 million in bond funding to make the high school bigger and to build a new elementary school.
What's next:
The election will be held in April 2026. If voters approve the plans, construction will start the following year and last until 2029.