THE PROCESS
Nashwauk-Keewatin Schools is studying all the options, listening to community members, and working with building experts to determine the best path forward for our schools.
Since 2014, district leaders have been engaged in a thorough process of determining how to best tackle the growing challenges presented by our aging school buildings. Third-party experts have conducted several assessments to identify the most pressing issues. The district has invited community members to share their thoughts anonymously online and at regular community listening sessions.
Community engagement efforts are ongoing, and all NK residents are encouraged to be a part of them. Contact Craig Menozzi at cmenozzi@isd319.org or by phone at 952-240-5379 to learn how you can get involved.
THE WORK WE’VE DONE SO FAR
2014
The district proposed two bond referendums for school remodeling projects totaling $5.2 million. Voters rejected both.
2017
The district led intensive discussions with Greenway to consider consolidation.
2017
NK district leaders engaged building experts to conduct a facilities assessment to identify deficiencies and estimate remodeling costs. They held discussions with the IRRRB about the possibility of financial assistance for renovations.
2019
Greenway declined further discussion of the possibility of consolidating districts.
2019
NK 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 School Board launched new facilities planning activities, including outreach to the IRRRB, state legislators, county and municipal leaders, and community partners to develop a plan to address school facilities issues.
November 2020
District leaders began conversations with IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips and legislators about the availability of aid for school facilities. The School Board issued a request for proposal for construction project management.
December 2020
The Board selected construction firm ICS as project manager and approved planning work and estimated timeline.
January 2021
The district launched community outreach and listening sessions to gather resident input about the schools’ future from residents, parents, teachers, and students. These efforts have continued until the present, and will be ongoing throughout the planning process.
February 2021
The district continued discussions with the IRRRB, elected officials, and other potential partner organizations to explore possibilities for shared facilities and programming.
March 2021
Legislation introduced to provide increased state aid to NK by Rep. Julie Sandstede and Sen. David Tomassoni.
The district explored various locations for potential new construction. The district held listening sessions with council members and mayors of Nashwauk and Keewatin, Lone Pine Township, and Buck Lake.
Construction experts presented the board with three remodeling options.
April 2021
The district held listening sessions with the Nashwauk Area Improvement Fund, both Nashwauk and Keewatin Chambers of Commerce, and the general public. The district will continue working with the IRRRB, state and federal partners to find solutions to our building needs.
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 NK high school building in Nashwauk.
1982
A new gym, band room, and administrative offices were added to NK High School.
1989
The 1914-built Keewatin school building was demolished after 75 years of use. NK Elementary was reconfigured to fit into the remaining 1922-built Keewatin building with financial assistance from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
1994
An auto shop was added to NK High School.