Growing With Pride: Addressing the Most Important Needs of Our School Buildings
Staples-Motley Schools is proposing a single-question bond referendum to voters on Tuesday, April 14. If the $42.5 million investment in our schools is approved, the plan will update the Elementary School and Middle/High School to support today’s teaching standards, strengthen career training, and improve health and safety for all students.
These improvements directly reflect the top needs identified by our teachers, staff, and community, as well as the goals outlined in our district’s Continuous Improvement Plan.
“
“Investing in updated facilities is not just an investment in our school—it is an investment in the economic vitality and future of our entire community.”
— KRIS MUMM, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHER
What’s Included?
If approved, the referendum plan would make improvements in six key areas:
Enhanced Safety and Security
Expanded and Improved Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Improved Classrooms
Repaired & Updated Core Building Systems
Updated Auditorium
Better Grade Alignment
Interact with the floor plan below to see summaries of the proposed improvement plan at the Middle/High School!
Interact with the floor plan below to see summaries of the proposed improvement plan at the Elementary School!
Enhance Safety, Security, and Accessibility
These updates are designed to make our schools safer and give users greater peace of mind during the school day.
Better control over visitor access: At the Middle/High School, new controlled entryways would require all visitors to check in before entering student areas. Front office staff would directly monitor and manage access. This would replace the current setup, where visitors can enter the building before checking in.
Improved sightlines and traffic flow: As part of the secure entryway renovations, the main office at the Middle/High School would be relocated slightly to provide a better view of the entryway and inside the building.
Security equipment updates: Security cameras, locks, exterior doors, and worn-out windows will be replaced.
Accessibility improvements: Restrooms at both schools will be upgraded to meet ADA requirements.
Student health rooms: As part of the entryway and office relocations, nearby classrooms will be converted into dedicated offices for school nurses, counselors, and other student services.
Expand and Improve Career and Technical Education (CTE)
These improvements will give students more opportunities to learn practical technical skills and prepare for careers in our local communities.
Add new CTE space at the Middle/High School: An addition to the existing shop space will include three bays to support classes in welding, woodworking, machining, automotive tech, and more.
Convert the current shop space: Rather than tear down the current shop space, the room will be converted into an additional CTE classroom and storage space.
Expand and update Family and Consumer Science (FACS) classrooms: The classrooms will include a commercial kitchen and flexible program areas to teach hands-on life skills like cooking, nutrition, and meat cutting.
Updated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classroom: The classroom for CNA courses would be updated with industry-standard training equipment like a lift, practice mannequins, and blood pressure cuffs.
CNA classes enable students to become licensed and eligible for healthcare jobs even before they graduate.
“
“[The referendum would provide] more career-based learning opportunities to students and give students more hands-on learning opportunities … many of the programs within CTE will keep our students in the community working for local businesses in a trade job.”
— DAN ROWE, AGRICULTURE TEACHER & FFA ADVISOR
Staples-Motley’s Current CTE, FACS, and CNA Classrooms
Examples of CTE Spaces in Other Minnesota Schools
Update Classrooms
These improvements will make our classrooms more comfortable and better equipped for modern curriculum.
Moving general education classrooms to the outer edge of the building will let in more natural light, which has been shown to boost learning, improve mood, and reduce energy costs.
This will also provide more classroom space, allowing teachers to better utilize their rooms for small group projects or large group discussions.
Why does a flexible layout matter? Few students learn best sitting in rows. Flexible layouts let teachers optimize their rooms for small group projects or large group discussions. They also make it easier to accommodate equipment and prepare space for hands-on projects.
New flooring, ceilings, walls, and cabinetry will replace worn-out surfaces in classrooms.
Convert interior classrooms: Interior classrooms will be converted into a new media center, locker space, and small group workspaces. These workspaces will include tables and seating that students can use for study outside of the classroom, or that teachers can use for one-on-one instruction.
Improve the Auditorium
These improvements will give the Centennial Auditorium better equipment for sound and production. This means guests can enjoy higher-quality performances and students will have more opportunities to put on a wider variety of shows.
New thrust stage and ADA stage access: A thrust stage partially extends into the audience, providing a larger space for sets and performers, and improving visibility for guests. The stage will also be ADA-accessible.
New curtains and rigging: These will replace worn-out systems, preventing the risk of malfunction during performances.
Improved sound equipment and acoustics: Updated speakers, wiring, and additional noise baffling (to prevent echoing) will improve sound quality for guests.
Address Maintenance Needs
These improvements will extend the lifespan of our buildings and help prevent more costly repairs in the future.
Roof and exterior repairs: Old roofs and worn brick, especially at the 1936 building, will be fixed or replaced to stop leaks and keep the buildings in good shape for years to come.
New windows and doors: Worn-out windows and doors will be replaced to save energy, prevent leaks, and make classrooms more secure.
Restroom upgrades: Bathrooms at the Middle/High School and Elementary School will be updated to meet accessibility laws and make them easier for everyone to use.
“
“[The referendum] would allow us to move from short-term fixes to long-term solutions — upgrading facilities, furniture, and learning environments rather than constantly working around limitations.”
— VICKIE SERICH, ELEMENTARY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Priority: Better Align Grades
Fifth-grade students will be relocated to the elementary school to put them in a setting that better suits their age.
Four-classroom addition at the elementary school: These classrooms will make space for the fifth grade to move from the Middle/High School building. This change will also free up space at the Middle/High school for right-sized classrooms and additional Career and Technical Education (CTE) space.
New bathrooms, a physical education office, and gym storage: These additions at the elementary school will support the relocation of fifth-grade students and provide physical education with the space and resources it needs.
Priority: Update Grounds and Activities Spaces
These improvements will keep our athletics spaces safe and make it easier to host spectators and visiting teams.
Track replacement: The worn-out track surface will be replaced to ensure student athletes' safety.
Football stadium updates: The bleachers, press box, and concession stand will be updated for a better spectator experience. Old lights and wooden poles will be replaced with modern lighting. The sprinkler system will be redesigned to save water and improve irrigation.
New restrooms and concessions stand: ADA-accessible bathrooms and a concession stand will be added for athletes and fans.
Updated locker rooms: Locker rooms will be redesigned to provide separate changing areas for visiting teams.
What happens next if the referendum passes?
Design blueprints and permitting will begin in May, and the project will be publicly bid to contractors in early 2027. Construction will be phased to minimize the disruptions to education. All work would be completed by August 2029.
What happens if the referendum fails?
Our schools will remain outdated with limited space for modern career training. Repairs will keep piling up, and safety upgrades will be delayed. Students will miss out on the chance to learn in safer, modern spaces that better prepare them for the future.
This plan is the result of months of planning and collaboration with staff, community members, and experts in school finance and construction.