THE PROCESS
Starting in 2016, Nashwauk-Keewatin School District began working with community members and building experts to determine the best path forward for the district’s school buildings.
Evaluating Our Buildings
Nashwauk-Keewatin’s two current school buildings are over 100 years old and among the oldest actively used school buildings in the state of Minnesota. Faced with aging infrastructure and mounting maintenance costs, the district asked independent experts to assess the educational and structural adequacy of its school buildings in 2016, 2017, and 2021. These assessments identified extensive shortcomings in health, safety, accessibility, and educational adequacy. The cost to renovate the buildings to fully meet state standards was estimated between $41 - $47 million.
Engaging Our Communities
Following the assessments of N-K’s school buildings, the district held over a dozen meetings with parents, teachers, and residents to collect ideas and shape the district’s priorities regarding the future of N-K schools. The district also invited community members to share their thoughts anonymously through online surveys.
Based on the community feedback that strongly favored new construction over making renovations, district leaders developed a plan to combine the two current buildings into a single PreK-12 school and wellness center.
On February 8, 2023, voters approved a two-question bond referendum to provide a total of $47.7 million to finance the construction of a brand new PreK-12 school and wellness center to replace the district’s current school buildings. Generous contributions from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), Itasca County and U.S. Steel Corporation were instrumental in bringing down the cost of the project to taxpayers.
The Planning and Referendum Process
2017
The Nashwauk-Keewatin School District led intensive discussions with Greenway Public Schools about consolidation.
2017
Nashwauk-Keewatin School District leaders engaged building experts to conduct a facilities assessment to identify deficiencies and estimate remodeling costs. They held discussions with the IRRR about the possibility of financial assistance for renovations.
2019
Greenway declined further discussion about consolidating districts.
2019
N-K initiated the Central Range Collaborative to identify new ways to share resources with other neighboring districts like Hibbing, Chisholm, St. Louis County Schools, Floodwood, and Hibbing Community College.
August 2020
The N-K School Board launched new facilities planning activities, including outreach to the IRRR, state legislators, county and municipal leaders, and community partners to develop a plan to address school facilities issues.
November 2020
N-K district leaders began conversations with IRRR Commissioner Mark Phillips and state legislators about the availability of aid for school facilities. The N-K School Board issued a request for proposal for construction project management.
December 2020
The N-K School Board selected construction management firm ICS as the project manager to develop a timeline and plan for the funding and construction of a new PreK-12 school for the district.
January 2021
N-K launched community outreach and listening sessions to gather resident input about the schools’ future from residents, parents, teachers, and students.
February 2021
N-K continued discussions with the IRRR, elected officials, and other potential partner organizations to explore possibilities for shared facilities and programming.
March 2021
Legislation was introduced to provide increased state aid to N-K by Rep. Julie Sandstede and Sen. David Tomassoni. N-K explored various locations for potential new construction. The district held listening sessions with council members and mayors of Nashwauk, Keewatin, Lone Pine Township, and Buck Lake. Construction experts presented the board with three remodeling options.
April 2021
N-K held listening sessions with the Nashwauk Area Improvement Fund, both Nashwauk and Keewatin Chambers of Commerce, and the general public.
May 2021
N-K teachers and staff received a status update and provided feedback and guidance regarding the investment plan.
June 2021
N-K received a gift of 42 acres of land near O’Brien Reservoir from the U.S. Steel Corporation to be used as the site for future construction of its planned PreK-12 school.
July 2021
N-K held ongoing meetings with the IRRR about financial support for the project.
August 2021
N-K and ISD 318 (Grand Rapids) held a joint school board meeting to discuss greater collaboration between the two districts. The N-K school board signed a resolution committing to seeking greater collaboration for area students.
October 2021
Working with our County Commissioner, Ben DeNucci, Itasca County approved a $1 million grant to the Nashwauk-Keewatin School District. The N-K School Board reviewed extensive financial analysis of the likely cost of a referendum, and its impact to taxpayers.
November 2021
After months of discussion, the IRRR verbally agreed to financially support the construction of a new PreK-12 school, contingent upon a successful bond referendum. On Nov. 10, the board unanimously voted to hold a bond referendum on Feb. 8, 2022.
December 2021
The IRRR approved an $18 million grant for the construction of the new Nashwauk-Keewatin school, contingent on voter approval of the Feb. 8, 2022 referendum and the formalization of a joint powers agreement with a neighboring school district.
February 2022
On Feb. 8, 2022 N-K residents approved both ballot questions to finance the project.
HISTORY OF OUR SCHOOL BUILDINGS
1913
Nashwauk Elementary School opened.
1914
Keewatin Elementary School opened.
1920
Nashwauk High School building opened.
1922
Keewatin High School building opened.
1962
The Nashwauk Colts and Keewatin Tigers consolidated to become Nashwauk-Keewatin Spartans. The two Keewatin facilities were used as an elementary and junior high school, while the Nashwauk buildings served high school students.
1979
The original 1913-built Nashwauk Elementary building was demolished after 66 years of use, leaving a single N-K high school building in Nashwauk.
1982
A new gym, band room, and administrative offices were added to N-K High School.
1989
The 1914-built Keewatin school building was demolished after 75 years of use. N-K Elementary was reconfigured to fit into the remaining 1922-built Keewatin building with financial assistance from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR).
1994
An auto shop was added to N-K High School.