Minden, August 20, 2025
News Summary
The Minden school board reviewed a proposal to build a new elementary wing attached to the middle school, prompted by an aging elementary facility and limited expansion options. BD Construction provided an early high-end cost estimate of $26.6 million, and a financial advisor outlined five financing approaches, including full bond funding, bond wraps, lease purchases, and interlocal agreements. The board approved routine business, policy updates, and steps to refine designs with teacher input. A public outreach plan was presented to keep communications neutral while volunteers could form an advocacy committee if the district pursues a bond vote.
Minden Board Reviews Plan for New Elementary Building; Early Cost Estimate $26.6M, Five Financing Paths Outlined
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Updated: August 20, 2025 @ 6:43 am
Bottom line now
The school board spent the August 11 meeting mainly on a proposal to build a new elementary school attached to the middle school. A construction firm delivered an early high-end price of $26.6 million, and a financial advisor presented five different ways the district might pay for the project. The board moved quickly through routine items, approved policy changes, and set steps to inform the public if the district decides to move forward.
What happened at the meeting
After a quick approval of the consent agenda — which included minutes from the July 14 and July 29 meetings, financial reports, and expenditures and claims — the board heard presentations from the district architect, BD Construction, and a financial advisor. The presentations dominated the agenda and set the stage for possible action later this year.
Why a new building is being considered
The district’s architect described the current elementary building as aging and not functioning well for students and staff. The building has limited classroom space and no practical room for expansion without removing the playground and some parking. The proposed solution is a new elementary wing attached to the C.L. Jones Middle School, with a revised floor plan that reduces some of the courtyard area and rearranges art, music, and gym spaces to fit a smaller overall footprint than a 2023 proposal.
Design changes and site impacts
The revised layout aims to ease congestion at the elementary entrance and drop-off on 5th Street and to leave room for future classroom additions if needed. Designers said further adjustments will be made after more discussions with teachers about classroom needs and amenities.
Cost estimate and next steps
BD Construction provided an early, high-end construction estimate of $26.6 million, noting that the number is based on preliminary details and that a more detailed plan would yield a more accurate cost. If the board wants a bond vote in November, consultants suggested a committee kickoff on August 18 and a formal announcement of intent the following month. A series of public outreach steps would be needed before any ballot question is placed before voters.
Public information plan
The campaign plan outlined several ways to keep the public informed: a dedicated website, mailed brochures, town hall meetings, media outreach, and use of existing school communications. All official school communications about the project must remain neutral, but volunteers could form a separate group to advocate for the bond. BD Construction is expected to lead coordination of a volunteer committee and subcommittees to manage the campaign work, though the board voiced a preference that the committee focus mainly on factual information rather than persuasive messaging and avoid overloading residents with constant reminders.
Financing: five options presented
A financial advisor presented five financing approaches:
- Option 1: A bond vote to cover the full project cost. This option spreads repayment over many years, usually resulting in the lowest true interest cost and allows for later refinancing. It could also keep the net tax impact at zero by lowering the special building fund levy until current bonds are retired.
- Option 2: A full-project bond with a “wrap” that requires interest-only payments on the new bonds until old bonds expire. This keeps the bond levy neutral but increases total interest and is less economical than Option 1, while preventing the special building fund from dropping as low.
- Option 3: A mix of a seven-year lease purchase to raise roughly $12 million and a bond for the remainder. This approach would let the district bond about half the project, could bring tax credits from special building funds, and was given an estimated levy impact of 4.92¢.
- Option 4: A combination like Option 3 but using a wrap to defer some principal and avoid a large spike in levy impact. This is less efficient overall.
- Option 5: A longer-term lease purchase entered through an interlocal agreement, funded with special building funds and passing tax credits to taxpayers. This approach would not use bond proceeds and was presented as the most efficient and affordable option with the lowest true interest cost if the bond route is taken.
Board actions and other business
After the presentations the board approved amendments to a list of policies and adopted several others. The board also passed a resolution to raise the district’s base growth percentage up to an additional 6% or the maximum permitted by law, authorized payment of year-end bills for 2024–25, approved 2025–26 staff trainings, and approved the 2024–25 audit agreement. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 8 at 7:00 pm in the high school media center.
What to expect next
The district will continue refining the building design with input from teachers and staff, develop more detailed cost estimates, and decide whether to move into a public information and bonding phase. If leaders opt for a November vote, they will need to follow the suggested schedule for committee setup and public outreach to meet ballot deadlines and keep official school communications neutral.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much will the new elementary building cost?
A: An early high-end estimate provided by the construction firm is $26.6 million. That figure could change after final designs and a detailed estimate are completed.
Q: How will the project be paid for?
A: A financial advisor presented five financing options, including full bond funding, bond wraps, a mix of lease purchase and bonds, and a long-term lease through an interlocal. Each option has different tax and interest implications.
Q: Will taxes go up if the project is approved?
A: Some financing options aim to keep the bond levy neutral or show a net zero levy increase by using existing special building fund levies. One option included an estimated levy impact of 4.92¢. Final tax effects would depend on the financing route chosen.
Q: How will the public learn about the proposal?
A: The outreach plan includes a project website, mailed brochures, town hall meetings, media notices, and school communications. Official school messages must remain neutral while volunteer groups may advocate for the bond.
Q: When is the next board meeting?
A: The next regular board meeting is set for Monday, September 8 at 7:00 pm in the high school media center.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project type | New elementary wing attached to middle school |
| Early cost estimate | $26.6 million (high-end, preliminary) |
| Design goals | Reduce congestion at 5th Street entrance, allow future expansion, rework courtyard/art/music/gym spaces |
| Public outreach | Website, brochures, town halls, media, school communications (neutral) |
| Financing options | Five options: full bond, bond wrap, lease+bond, lease+wrap, long-term lease/interlocal |
| Next board meeting | Monday, September 8 at 7:00 pm — MHS Media Center |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- The Minden Courier: Minden Board Reviews Plan for New Elementary Building
- Wikipedia: School Bond
- KTBS: Former Claiborne Educator Accused of Inappropriate Behavior
- Google Search: Claiborne educator accused student
- Kearney Hub: Local Education News
- Google Scholar: school construction financing
- Nevada Appeal: Minden Elementary Kicks Off Program
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Elementary education
- KSLA: Former Homer Educator Arrested; Alleged Molestation
- Google News: educator arrested molestation child
Author: Construction FL News
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