The most recent bond referendum passed on November 3rd in District 196—the first in ten years. Now we have $180 million burning a hole in our pocket until we figure out how to spend it.

With big things planned for the investment, it is surprising how under the radar the bond flew. Leading up to vote, gone were the “Get out your vote” signs in front lawns, the “informational” mailings, and the near-daily reminders from the District to vote.

It was the lowest turnout in years—14 percent.  Although there are almost 91,000 voters in District 196, a mere 12,750 decided to show up and cast a ballot.

In spite of this—or maybe because of this—the bond passed with 69 percent of people in favor of it, much larger than school officials ever hoped for. Principal Steve Degenaar said, “In a school election, a good result is 55 percent. We got almost a 2:1 ratio, which is incredible.”

The bond will help fund new building security improvements and an increase in technology across the district. Additionally, Principal Degenaar has one thing he knows he wants: all the teachers’ furniture to be updated. Like some of the students’ sled desks, they are all original to the school, which opened in 1976.

In addition to new furniture, updated security systems will be put into place, a new technology rollout will occur for all students in grades 4-12 (in two years, every AVHS student will have an iPad mini), and a new elementary school is in the works, though its location is yet to be determined. Within Apple Valley High School itself, a “rumored” face-lift is in order.

As security within schools heightens, administrators are concerned with the current face of AVHS. In what used to be a classroom, the attendance office, where students and visitors alike need to check in, is all the way down the hall on the left and out of the way. It quickly becomes a security issue when people skip the attendance office as they arrive in the school.

What elements would you like to see in the renovated entrance to the school?

• Cafe
• New classrooms
• Study areas
• School store

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The new design would remove the front courtyard and extend the building to roughly the flagpole. This would increase space for either classrooms, or a study area, and funnel people right into the attendance office.

“It is a cool idea for the front. You would have to walk through the main office instead of the check-in system we have now,” explains AVHS senior and site council member Katie Moynihan. “A study lounge [in the front] would be nice. It could be like a college setting.”

To get your voice heard, take a moment to cast your vote about what you would like to see the front entrance used for after renovations.

As we move ahead with the plans to spend $180 million, let’s take steps to bond our school, and our district, together.