Robbinsdale Area Schools Board of Education Approves Bond Referendum for November Ballot

Facing a critical crossroads for its future, the Robbinsdale Area Schools Board of Education has approved three bond referendum questions to be placed before voters on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

The ballot measures represent the next direct step in Reimagine Rdale: Vision 2030, a community-driven, board-directed roadmap designed to rightsize the district’s aging facility footprint, stabilize its long-term financial health, and modernize learning environments for all students. 

The district currently operates 60-year-old buildings in most cases, while navigating more than a decade of enrollment decline. Over the past three years, Robbinsdale Area Schools has made approximately $26 million in budget reductions, which includes building consolidations.

District leaders emphasize that the referendum is necessary to set the district on a path toward financial sustainability. Without a significant change to the number of schools it operates, the district will face deep, systemic cuts to student programming and opportunities, which runs the risk of families choosing other districts and further reducing state revenue.

Superintendent Dr. Teri Staloch emphasized the significance of the upcoming bond referendum, stating, “This bond referendum is our opportunity to build a predictable, intentional path forward. By rightsizing our facilities, we can stop spending money on underutilized, ineffective, and inefficient spaces and invest directly in the programs and learning spaces our students want, need, and deserve.”

Voters will consider three separate, interconnected questions. Question 1 serves as the foundational plan, while Questions 2 and 3 offer alternative or enhanced facility configurations that are contingent on the approval of Question 1. Specifically, Question 2 is contingent on the approval of Question 1, and Question 3 is contingent on the approval of Question 2.

Question 1: Foundational Rightsizing and a Unified High School Campus

If passed, this would consolidate the district’s two traditional high schools into a single, comprehensive campus, and utilize remaining secondary schools more efficiently, while organizing elementary schools into more equitable neighborhood schools.

• One High School: Utilizes the current Cooper High School and the New Hope Learning Center site to construct a renovated and expanded unified high school campus serving 3,000 students. The Armstrong High School site would be repurposed to house Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (K-5), Highview Alternative Learning Center (ALC), Adult Academic Programs & Community Education, and district IT and maintenance departments.
• Middle Schools & Pools: Renovates Plymouth and Sandburg Middle Schools to serve 1,100 students each. Sandburg’s pool would be filled in to create a physical education and Developmental Adapted Physical Education space. Plymouth’s pool would be expanded to 8 lanes, and the diving well deepened.
• Elementary Schools: Expands four elementary schools (Zachary Lane, Meadow Lake, Northport, and Forest) into 4-section schools. FAIR School Crystal would be converted into a PreK-5 neighborhood elementary school. SEA/Olson Elementary would expand its focus to include PreK and Special Education.
• District Services: Lakeview Elementary would no longer serve as a traditional school and become the new Educational Service Center and home for the Robbinsdale Transition program (ages 18-21). 
• Discontinue Leased Spaces: In addition to embedding some of district programming that leases space at Crystal Learning Center, the district would construct a storage garage on existing district property to replace the leased warehouse. As the projects in Question 1 are being completed, the district would sell off all unused, surplus real estate. 

Question 2: Middle School Reconfiguration and Performing Arts Focus

Contingent upon the approval of Question 1, this question alters the middle school layout to expand arts capabilities. 

• Alternative Middle School Plan: The current Armstrong site would be remodeled as a 1,100-student middle school to serve as Plymouth Middle School (while also housing Highview ALC, district IT and maintenance departments). 
• The current Plymouth Middle School would then be repurposed to house Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion (K-5) and the Robbinsdale Transition program, with the addition of elementary-appropriate playgrounds.
• Theater in the Round: Instead of gym space, the filled-in pool space at Sandburg Middle School would be converted into a 400-seat Theater in the Round performing arts space.

Question 3: New Elementary Construction and District Alignment

Contingent upon the approval of Question 1 and Question 2, this question introduces new construction to optimize the district’s footprint.

• New Elementary School: Builds a new elementary school at the current Robbinsdale Middle School site.
• District Support Services: The district would determine the best location for district-wide services and programming.

The proposed investments are built around community input during the district’s Reimagine Rdale: Vision 2030 community planning process.

• Our students: Delivering high-quality educational experiences that spark creativity and innovation; strengthens student success through comprehensive college, career, and future-ready pathways; ensures private, safe, ADA-accessible restrooms; and creates environments that support overall student well-being.
• Our staff: Designing flexible classrooms that transition easily between collaborative projects, large-group instruction, and small-group interventions for high-quality instruction. Creates programming and work spaces that attract and retain top talent.
• Our schools: Creating welcoming, inclusive environments that balance safety, security and accessibility with flexible learning spaces that support how students learn today.
• Our community: Responsibly managing taxpayer resources by consolidating underutilized square footage, creating long-term operational efficiencies, and maintaining active community hubs for public events and lifelong learning.

The district will host a series of informational community meetings leading up to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Detailed project breakdowns, tax impact, and voting information will be available on the district’s website at www.rdale.org.