The state has given a favorable review to School District 2142’s proposed restructuring plan, helping pave the way for a Dec. 8 vote on a $78.8 million bond issue.

In a letter to Superintendent Charles Rick, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Alice Seagren wrote that the department “judges the proposed construction to be educationally and economically advisable.”

The decision is significant because it means the district only needs a simple majority of those voting to pass the bond issue. An unfavorable review by the department would have required just over 60 percent to vote in favor to pass the bond issue; a negative rating would have prevented the district from even proceeding with a vote.

By state statute, the Department of Education requires school districts to supply detailed information about how it plans to address educational and economic considerations prior to conducting a referendum, soliciting bids or issuing bonds for a project. School districts must provide information on how their plan addresses 16 important facility and/or educational items, such as improving indoor air quality for students, enhancing student safety and how the plan incorporates environmentally sustainable design concepts.

“The Department of Education is known for requiring school districts to meet very stringent standards and provide very thorough information before it allows projects to move forward,” said Superintendent Rick. “MDE’s positive report confirms that our school board and community developed an excellent plan for both improving education for our young people and doing so in a financially sustainable manner. It is great the MDE has approved the board’s solution that joins communities to provide quality educational opportunities for all of our children.”

The report was prepared by Johnson Controls, which has been serving as consultants on the restructuring plan. Johnson Controls’ fee for preparing the plan was $80,000 and was a part of contract for additional services approved earlier by the school board.

The district’s plan calls for consolidating students in fewer school buildings to reduce costs and offer better educational opportunities. Under the plan adopted in June, schools in Cotton, AlBrook, Cook and Orr would be closed and replaced with two new schools. Schools in Babbitt-Embarrass and Cherry will be remodeled, while the school in Tower would be reduced to an elementary school only. Secondary students there would attend classes at B-E or the new north school serving Cook and Orr.

Construction would be funded with $78.8 million in bonds. St. Louis County School District residents will vote on the bond issue on Dec. 8.

Although some residents had contacted MDE with concerns about the district’s plan, a spokesperson for the department said public comments typically didn’t have a lot of influence over the department’s decision because citizens would get a chance to express their views at the polls on Dec. 8.