Nashwauk-Keewatin residents pass referendum for new school, wellness center

NASHWAUK, MN (KBJR) -- Nashwauk-Keewatin school district voters approved a referendum to invest $47.7 million to build a new school and an adjacent community wellness center.

According to Dr. Rae Villebrun, the district’s superintendent and elementary principal, preliminary election results show the new Pre-K through 12 school passed on a vote of 839 to 237. Meanwhile, the second question regarding the community wellness center passed by a vote of 697 to 362.

“The passage of this referendum will mean a significant investment in the future of our community,” N-K school board chair Lisa Peratalo said. “Residents have been well-aware of the challenges at our aging schools for many years. It took us a long time to get here, but I’m so glad to have the community’s support to move forward with our plan to provide a healthy and modern school for N-K students.”

School officials say this is the first step in securing $18 million in funding from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

The second grant requirement is a joint powers agreement between Nashwauk-Keewatin schools and one or more neighboring school districts.

Students and staff will stay in the current buildings until the new building is ready in the fall of 2024.