Hopkins Public Schools will have its first bond election in 19 years next May and a group of about 40 local citizens showed up to a public forum, to get details.
Supt. Scott VanBonn, himself a graduate of Hopkins, was the host for the discussion and information presentation. He said the last bond issue from 2007 now is just about paid off, so now it’s a good time to take care of other projects without raising the tax rate.
School officials have set the date of the election for Tuesday, May 6, 2026, Some interesting proposals are being bandied about.
Perhaps the most impactful is the removal of the old middle school, which once served as the high school, but now appears to have outlived its usefulness. VanBonn said a new middle school will be a two-story 94,500-square foot facility with landscaping and parking improvements.
The superintendent said the parking situation continues to get worse every year during the times of student pickups and drop offs.
He agreed some serious planning will be needed to accommodate the razing of the old building and erection of the new one without interrupting student learning. It was estimated that the turnaround would be complete within three to four years.
Another impactful proposal is for a new 17,500-square-foot performance arts facility for plays, special events and musical presentations. Another goal is to eliminate the need for middle school and high school music students to go outside to change classes.
VanBonn said, “Our goal today is to gather as much information as we can, noting a second public forum will be held at the high school cafeteria Oct. 27.
The superintendent outlined the most important goals of the project plans are safety and security, a comfortable learning environment, athletic facility improvements, energy efficient upgrades and enhanced infrastructure.
Another identified need in the athletic department is upgrades and repairs for the track.
Members of the audience asked about the old Schwartz farm the district owns, but VanBonn indicated the property at the corner of 128th Avenue and 24th Street might better be continued as a rental farming parcel that brings in about $12,000 a year to the school system.
Other minor wants include continued electric bus purchases, air conditioning in the gym, concessions at the soccer field and renovations in Sycamore and Hopkins Elementaries.
Conspicuous by its absence was anything to do with water or a pool.
The superintendent promised more informative sessions, beginning with one at Sycamore Elementary Tuesday evening, Sept. 23, and continued awareness of the local bond election May 6.
