Superintendent Chris Lindholm provided an overview of the bond referendum, emphasizing that it would focus on facility improvements rather than operational expenses. Lindholm stressed the historical maintenance of the school facilities and the need to continue this legacy with the new bond. He detailed the bond’s objectives, including updates to the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, which was established in 1998 and requires modernization. Community requests have included creating a more flexible theater space and updating lighting and safety features. Lindholm noted the center’s annual patronage of over 5,000 people and its role in providing programming for all age groups in the community.

Another aspect of the proposal is the addition of artificial turf to the school’s football field to allow year-round use by multiple sports teams. Lindholm explained that the natural turf currently limits the field’s usability, especially under adverse weather conditions. The proposal aims to mitigate these issues and improve athletic facilities for both school and community use.

Failure to pass the referendum would result in the loss of the $5 million matching grant and delayed improvements, which would escalate in cost over time. Lindholm concluded by acknowledging the efforts of the county’s election management team in preparing for the upcoming vote.

The meeting also addressed the increasing participation in community sports, with a notable 80% rise in engagement in community education programs over the past three years. This surge is partly attributed to the disruption caused by the pandemic in 2021 and 2022, showing a strong community interest in youth sports and extracurricular activities. Discussions included the participation of students from Grand Portage and homeschooled children in football, illustrating vibrant community involvement.

The safety and quality of artificial turf fields were discussed, with advancements in turf technology reported to have improved safety. Injury rates have not changed with artificial surfaces, addressing past concerns regarding older turf materials. It was noted that new turf technology provides a more even playing surface, mitigating issues such as holes and ruts found in natural grass.

In infrastructure discussions, the meeting highlighted several ongoing and planned projects. The necessity of construction inspection contracts was emphasized, with a portion of project funding reimbursable from state and federal sources. The local tax contribution for projects like the Chicago Bay Road was noted to be approximately $65,000.

Concerns about local road conditions, including Old North Road, were raised, with plans discussed to address these issues transparently. The county’s road safety plan was used as a basis for applying for additional funding through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, aimed at enhancing road safety.

A notable development was the renewal of an interim use permit for a mobile tattoo business and the approval of a rezone request for a 44-acre parcel to enable greater subdivision potential. The meeting also approved a conditional use permit for Northshore Waste’s transfer station expansion.