Alden-Conger prepares for election

Staff

Published Tuesday, October 30, 2007

By Sarah Kirchner, staff writer

ALDEN — While many in Freeborn County are focused on the operating levy referendum in Albert Lea, residents in the Alden-Conger school district are discussing a referendum of their own.

“It will probably pass,” said Conger resident Ron Miller, adding the Alden-Conger community is generally supportive of school referendums.

The Alden-Conger School District is asking voters to approve a $1,785,000 bond issue to build a 15,000-square-foot addition to the high school in Alden.

The addition would include a fitness center with weight training and aerobic equipment, new city offices, a new gym, another science room for the school and an early childhood/family education room.

“This would be the last expansion the school would need,” said Alden resident Lorraine Anderson.

Superintendent Joe Guanella said if the bond issue passes and the south addition is built, the school district could, if needed, close open enrollment, preventing the need for an even larger building.

The school district can close open enrollment when the student body grows to two sections in every grade, Guanella said, and two grades are already there.

Alden resident Shirley Newman said she has heard a mixture of people for and against the bond issue, citing the fact that the addition is a big project as a possible hang-up. Another possible concern, she said, is that the school addition includes city offices.

“I don’t know what will happen,” Newman said.

The total cost of the addition is estimated at over $2 million. LaVerne Carlson, whose family owns Alden Shoe & Clothing, donated $325,000 to the project before he passed away. The fitness center was Carlson’s vision, Guanella said.

Alden resident Bernice Monson said it would be “silly” not to go forward with the expansion because of the generous donation from Carlson.

“We’ve had a local citizen donate money,” said Ingeborg Reindal. “The rest of us should be able to help.”

If the bond issue isn’t approved, the Carlson donation is already in the school’s account, so the addition would be a smaller building, Guanella said.

“I don’t hear anybody against,” said Alden resident Dori Petersen. “I don’t hear any rebuttals about it.”

“I’ve heard nothing but support for the school as a whole,” added the Rev. Greg Ofsdahl of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden.

Guanella said in his 46 years involved with the district, he couldn’t recall a bond issue or levy referendum that didn’t pass.

Alden is also contributing an annual payment of $30,000, not to exceed $300,000 over 10 years, toward the project.

The issuance of bonds is needed to cover the rest, a total of $1,785,000.

“I certainly hope it goes,” Monson said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing. I think our kids’ education is very important.”

The fitness center would be open for use by the public, and Monson, along with other Alden residents, said it would be nice to have somewhere in town to go for exercise.

“I think there are a lot of people in town going to Albert Lea (for exercise),” Petersen said.

“I can definitely see where they would need an extra gym,” Newman said.

Construction would start in the spring of 2008 and finish in midwinter.

“If we have an opportunity for such a marvelous thing, I think we’d better go for it,” said Alden resident Marjean Jacobs. “I think it’s a wonderful school. I think we’re very fortunate.”

The Alden-Conger school board is asking for a bond issue, not an excess levy vote as is the case in Albert Lea. Revenue from bonded indebtedness only can be used for the school building and its fixtures, not day-to-day operations. The proposed bond issue would be repaid over 10 years.

For an average household — whose property value is $100,000, according to the Freeborn County assessor — property tax would increase an additional $31 a year, at the most.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---