Pine River-Backus passes capital project levy to address maintenance needs

PINE RIVER — Pine River-Backus voters approved a 10-year, $9 million capital project levy on Tuesday, April 8, with 62% of voters saying yes.

The funding will pay for heating, ventilation and air conditioning updates, roof replacements, improving windows and flooring and new buses, as well as supporting technology equipment and staff.

Superintendent Jon Clark told KAXE that district staff were feeling great about the results Wednesday.

"The show of support from the Pine River-Backus community in approving this capital projects levy is overwhelming," he said. "It feels really good."

A $300,000 home will see an estimated tax increase of $6 per month, according to the district.

Minnesota school districts have struggled to pass additional tax revenue measures in recent years. Clark said it helped that this wasn't a "super flashy" project.

"It was a lot of just transparency. These are needs," he said. "These aren't a list of wants that we'd like to have, these are needs that we need to have. I think that was conveyed very well in a very supportive environment. Our community listened."

Clark added that the community support is extra meaningful given the state of the economy and education funding.

"Some of the things are scary of what funding for education is gonna look moving forward, and it is nice that the Pine River-Backus community saw that and then stepped up to help us out," he said.

"We really appreciate it."