Mountain Iron-Buhl School District Could Build New High School

Deciding Referendum Vote Held Tuesday

Wiring, ventilation and a leaky swimming pool are only a few of the problems Mt. Iron-Buhl school district officials describe when they discuss the current Mt. Iron-Buhl High school building.

The current high school building, for grades 7 through 12, was built in the 1920’s, and School officials say time has put its toll on it. Now, the school district is looking to build a new school.

The project would cost a total of $29 million dollars, which the IRRRB would pay 80 % of, and the State of Minnesota would pay 5% of, through equalization aid. That would leave 15% for the Mt. Iron-Buhl School District taxpayers to pay over the course of 20 years.

School officials say building a new school would cost tax payers roughly 5 times less money than remodeling the current building.

If the referendum passes, the new high school would be built along with a new Pre-K class area, advanced tele-presence laboratories, and safety systems to protect the students.

.If the referendum doesn’t pass, the cost of remodeling of the current high school, which is estimated to be around 19 million dollars, would fall on Mt. Iron-Buhl School district tax payers.