In case you missed it, here's a look at coverage of the 2018 bond referendum in the local media. Click on the headlines to view the articles.
$26 Million Referendum in Benson School District
August 1, 2018 - West Central Tribune
"With low interest rates and the new state tax credit that will reduce the financial burden for agricultural land affected by school capital bonding, Laumeyer said the timing could be right to gain approval."
Remember Who the School Building is About
July 17, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record (Editorial)
"The plan before voters was developed by fellow citizens who studied in-depth the needs of our students, community, and businesses. They looked hard at the costs and options. The plan before us is the best set of proposals for meeting the needs of our children and community. To delay action further would not only be an abandonment of our responsibility to those children but also to our business community."
Description of Proposed School Construction Project
July 17, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"Benson Public Schools, lSD #777, is proposing a bond referendum on August 14, 2018, that would authorize $26.3 million in bonding authority to finance facility improvements at the elementary and middle/high school attendance centers."
Many Show Up to Hear School Building Proposal
June 29, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"More than 70 people attended the first meeting sponsored by Benson Public Schools to inform the public about the purpose of the proposed $26.3 million building levy referendum to be voted on Aug. 14."
Building a Better Future for Our Children
June 28, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"We have no children or grandchildren in the Benson schools. But that is not what we base our decision on to wholeheartedly support this referendum. We back this referendum because it is our turn to support the future of the community’s children. It is our turn to support the needs of the businesses of the community. It is our turn to support the needs of our faculty to have modern, quality facilities in which to teach our children."
Benson School Levy Should Be Our Focus
April 18, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"Benson Public Schools is studying options for addressing building maintenance needs as well as essential facility upgrades that could cost between $20 and $29 million. It has brought three citizen groups together to give it input on the most critical building needs."
School Board Pleased with Citizen Input on Buildings
Feb. 9, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"All the (community) groups agreed that it is imperative that the district’s buildings be very attractive and “vibrant.” For people to notice change there has to be a change they can drive up to and see."
School Board Seeks Citizen Input on Referendum
January 12, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"The Benson school board is seeking volunteers to serve on a school committee to analyze the school facilities. Each committee will work independently with the school architect and superintendent to analyze the current facilities and make a facilities improvement recommendation to the board. This is a grassroots effort where the community will help shape the direction of the district facilities by assisting the school board."
School Could Set Levy for May
January 5, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record
"Benson Public Schools could be going to the voters in May asking them to support a levy referendum for basic maintenance and upgrading of district buildings. Just what the projects would be and what they would cost has to be decided yet. School board members are going to rely on input from a cross-section of district citizens for direction on the scope of a building renovation project. Those citizens will be brought together for several meetings, given a tour of facilities, told what problems each has and the challenges the problems present."