Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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.

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.

View a sample ballot on our Voting Information page.

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.

Construction would begin in the Spring of 2027 with most construction completed in the Fall of 2028.

This funding would help create more comparable learning environments across schools and alleviate pressure due to enrollment increases.

If approved, the bond funding would allow the district to:

• Build classroom additions and gymnasiums
• Remodel existing spaces to expand and improve:
  • Small classrooms (many classrooms are below the Minnesota Department of Education’s recommended size)
  • Specialist learning areas (STEM, band, choir, family and consumer science, visual arts, and media arts)
  • Special education classrooms
  • Small-group and flexible learning spaces
  • Kitchens and cafeterias
  • Administrative offices
• Improve parking areas
• Update classroom furniture and learning environments

Without additional middle school space, enrollment will exceed school capacity, leading to:

• Increased class sizes
• Overcrowding in shared spaces such as hallways, locker rooms, restrooms, and cafeterias
• Increased wait times in lunch lines
• Limited course offerings and more complex schedules due to a lack of space, especially in:
  • Gymnasiums
  • Music, art, STEM, and family and consumer science classrooms
• Increasing space needs while construction costs continue to rise over time

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

Early voting is convenient and easy! 

Beginning on March 27 through May 11, you can: 

• 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

Vote at your polling place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
* The District Office is not open for voting on Election Day

Important note: School district polling locations have changed in 2026. Visit pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us to find your voting location based on your home address.

Questions?

For questions related to voting please contact Kim Elsen at 952-232-2001 or Kim.Elsen@isd194.org.

The district 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.