On May 12, 2026, residents of the Lakeville Area School District will vote whether to approve funding to build additions and make renovations at the district’s three middle schools: Century Middle School, Kenwood Trail Middle School, and McGuire Middle School. The request responds to continued student enrollment growth, which is putting pressure on existing middle school space.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
McGuire Middle School principal Dr. Joshua Alexander addresses this question in our podcast video.
The ballot asks voters to consider approving $139.6 million in bond funds. If approved, these funds would be used for building additions, renovating existing spaces, and classroom furniture.
Additions would include building classroom additions at two schools and gyms at all three schools.
Renovations would vary by building and include remodeling:
Classrooms
Specialist spaces (such as STEM, band, choir, family and consumer science, and visual arts and media arts)
Special education classrooms
Small-group and flexible learning spaces
Kitchens and cafeterias
Offices and administrative spaces
Parking areas
All schools would also receive updated furniture
These items are needed to accommodate student enrollment growth.
The Lakeville area continues to grow, and more families are choosing to live in our community. Over the past decade, K–12 enrollment has increased by about 1,200 students, mostly at the elementary level. The district added classroom additions and a new elementary school as that growth was occurring. Now, many of these students are moving into middle school. Middle school enrollment is projected to increase by 8 percent over the next five years, creating a need for additional space at our middle schools. This funding would also help create more comparable learning environments across schools, and alleviate pressure due to enrollment increase.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Navigate to the following clips in our podcast video that address why this funding is needed.
Unlike school operating levies, which are often based on a home’s market value (what your home could sell for), bond referendums in Minnesota are calculated using Net Tax Capacity.
When voters approve a bond for a specific dollar amount, that total amount stays fixed. As new homes and businesses are built, that fixed amount is spread across a larger number of property owners. This means that as more people move in and contribute to the local tax base, the individual tax impact on existing homeowners can actually decrease over time.
Essentially, housing growth leads to an increase in the Net Tax Capacity. When the Net Tax Capacity goes up due to new housing construction, the tax rate for individual households goes down.
Approximately 3.5% ($4.8 million) of the bond funding would be used to buy new furniture at all three middle schools. Much of the furniture in the middle schools is old, worn, bulky and uncomfortable. This does not support teaching and learning best practices, which rely on flexibility to support partner and small group collaboration, movement, and comfort. Modular, modern furniture will support learning and engagement.
If approved, the estimated tax impact based on a $500,000 average home value in Lakeville, would be approximately $14 per month. You can estimate the tax impact to your home by using our online calculator or viewing the tax analysis chart below.
The tax impact over the next 20 years is:
$10 per month on a home valued at $350,000
$14 per month on a home valued at $500,000
$23 per month on a home valued at $750,000
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Director Matt Swanson addresses this question in our podcast video.
For over a decade, Lakeville Area Schools has received guidance from a facility advisory group to help plan for future facility needs.
To support decision-making, this advisory group gathers input from district staff, community members, principals, teachers, and architects.
Based on the needs identified, building additions are the most fiscally responsible and appropriate way to create the needed space at the middle level.
While more space is needed, a fourth middle school is not justified based on enrollment projections.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron and Director Matt Swanson address this question in our podcast video.
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If the bond referendum passes in May, it allows the district to begin the competitive bidding process and secure construction crews. By holding the vote now, we aim to lock in pricing and stay on a timeline that gets students into improved spaces as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
If we waited until November, we’d likely lose an entire construction season, which could increase costs anywhere between 3-6%. Additionally, we would be missing the opportunity to mitigate the enrollment growth when it is most needed.
Stop by the district office any time between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Friday
Lakeville Area School District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville
Vote from the convenience of your home. Apply for an absentee ballot at mnvotes.org (ballots must be received by Election Day, May 12)
Extended In-Person Early Voting Hours:
May 4 - May 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Lakeville Area School District Office, 17630 Juniper Path, Suite A, Lakeville
Election Day is Tuesday, May 12 - Condensed Polling Locations
Vote at your polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. * The District Office is not open for voting on Election Day
School district polling locations have changed in 2026 in an effort to mitigate election expenses for the district. Visit pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us to find your voting location based on your home address. You can also view a precinct map of your polling place at isd194.org/vote-polls.
Questions?
For questions related to voting please contact Kim Elsen at 952-232-2001 or Kim.Elsen@isd194.org.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Director Matt Swanson addresses this question in our podcast video.
For over a decade, Lakeville Area Schools has received guidance from a facility advisory group to help plan for future facility needs.
In 2022, demographic study and capacity studies were completed; and discussions about middle school capacity needs were underway. However, this work was delayed while other significant priorities were addressed including budget reductions, attendance area adjustments to support the opening of Highview Elementary, and leadership changes.
The district is committed to supporting students and teachers who are currently experiencing overcrowding with creative and strategic scheduling and use of space.
The current fourth grade class is considered a “bubble” class because they have 956 students, which is, at minimum, 50 students higher than any other class in elementary or middle school right now.
If the bond passes, most construction would be complete in the fall of 2028, our current fourth graders’ 7th grade year.
While space will be tight, the relief and balance provided by the boundary adjustments that have been approved to take effect in school year 2026-27 will provide some relief while construction is underway. Our school leaders and staff will continue creative scheduling and space use, as well as intentional relationship-building to ensure every student is connected.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Principals Jason Bakke (Century) and Dr. Joshua Alexander (McGuire) address this question in our podcast video.
No. While future bonds and levies may be requested to support high quality educational programs, no additional levy for staffing is needed as it relates to this bond referendum. An operating levy was requested to staff Highview Elementary after it was built in order to support school operation positions including the principal, office staff, and custodial staff. Typically the “per pupil” funding provided by the state provides funding for teaching positions.
As a growing district, Lakeville Area Schools has placed multiple referendums on the ballot since 2010, including bond and levy requests and renewals for school operations, building additions, and capital projects.
The most recent request this fall was a capital projects levy renewal to maintain educational and security technology and support career pathways and STEM education. This was approved by voters on November 4, 2025. Because it was a renewal, there was no new tax increase for district residents.
The Lakeville Area Schools community has shown a consistent commitment to maintaining quality schools and addressing school needs by asking our community for what is needed, when we need it. Whenever the district is considering a referendum request, the district conducts a scientific survey of our community members to assess their priorities and willingness to support the request. In the most recent survey, conducted in fall of 2025, residents reiterated their preference (61%) that the district continues to take the approach of asking for what we need as we need it, rather than asking for a larger amount to cover current and future needs.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron addresses these questions in our podcast video.
There are several variables that impact a homeowner’s property taxes, including changes in your home’s market value relative to others, your home’s classification, shifts in state funding, and the budgets of multiple taxing authorities. Lakeville Area Schools is just one of several groups on your tax statement, alongside the city and county. The best way to see how much you are paying in taxes to Lakeville Area Schools is reviewing your itemized property tax statement from the county, which can be found here:
The school district is the only taxing authority that is required to go directly to the voters to ask for permission to increase certain funds. Because we value that partnership, we prioritize being an open book with our finances. You can view our transparent budget documents and a presentation on the Pay26 levy to see exactly where your dollars go for the school district. https://www.isd194.org/district/budget-and-finance
Based on enrollment projections, the high schools are anticipated to be over capacity beginning in 2030. Additionally, needs have been identified for updated furniture and additional/upgraded arts, athletics and community space.
The district’s alternative learning center, Lakeville Pathways Academy, is also in need of additional and improved space.
The district will continue to track enrollment trends, growth predictions, and educational and extra-curricular programming needs, and will work with a variety of stakeholders to develop proactive solutions.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron addresses this question in our podcast video.
Crystal Lake Education Center (CLEC) is also currently above capacity, and has demonstrated need for additional early childhood programming space.
CLEC will undergo $4.5 million in maintenance during summer 2026, which will update and improve existing spaces.
The district will continue to track enrollment trends, growth predictions, and educational and extra-curricular programming needs, and will work with a variety of stakeholders to develop proactive solutions.
Learn more through our Podcast Video
Lakeville Area School Board Chair Amber Cameron addresses this question in our podcast video.
The school board has passed a resolution limiting open enrollment. Per the Minnesota Department of Education, Lakeville Area Schools must continue to accept open enrollment applications, however we are not required to accept open enrolled students into any grade level or school that is at or beyond capacity. Right now, open enrollment district-wide is at about 6%. No new open enrollment applications have been accepted at the middle school level.
