Hawley School District Voters Approve $53 Million Middle School Project

HAWLEY (KDLM) – Hawley School District voters have voted narrowly to approve a $53 million middle school project, but declined to spend an additional $3 million in renovations to the existing gyms and Dale Skallerud Athletic Complex.

The Hawley Public Schools total enrollment is expected to climb by 22% in the next 9 years, Superintendent Phil Jensen says the District is running low on space and the Referendums would help alleviate the pressure.

Referendum Question 1 was approved unofficially by just 8 votes (1,022 to 1,014) for a new middle school building that would house grades 5-8 on property to the north of the existing elementary school. The existing high school will be converted to serve grades 9-12, the existing elementary will be converted to serve grades PreK-4. Some remodeling would occur in the high school and elementary school to address facility needs.

Referendum Question 2 did not pass, however which was for improvements to the existing gyms and Dale Skallerud Athletic Complex. The improvements would have served students in physical education classes and athletics including a High School gym upgrade and stadium upgrade.

SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1 (ISD #150)