Lakeville Voters Approve $139.6 Million Middle School Referendum — Here's What's Coming

Lakeville Voters Approve $139.6 Million Middle School Referendum — Here's What's Coming

TLDR

• Lakeville's Growing Together referendum passed on May 12 with 54.04% voting yes and 45.96% voting no
• The $139.6 million bond will fund additions and renovations at all three middle schools: Century, Kenwood Trail, and McGuire
• Biggest projects include new classrooms, gymnasiums, and kitchen/cafeteria upgrades at every school
• The estimated tax impact is about $14 per month for a $500,000 home
• Construction is scheduled for completion in 2028 and 2029

It's official. Lakeville voters headed to the polls on May 12 and gave the green light to the district's $139.6 million Growing Together referendum. The vote came in at 54.04% yes to 45.96% no, according to unofficial results.

So what does that actually mean for your kid's school? Let's break it down.

Why the District Said It Needed This

Lakeville has been one of the fastest-growing communities in the South Metro for over a decade. The district's K-12 enrollment has jumped by about 1,200 students over the past ten years. Most of that growth hit the elementary level first, which is why voters approved a bond back in 2021 to build Highview Elementary — that school opened in 2024.

Now those kids are aging up. Middle school enrollment is expected to grow by 8% over the next five years. And the three existing middle schools — Century, Kenwood Trail, and McGuire — are already feeling the squeeze. Many classrooms are smaller than what the Minnesota Department of Education recommends. Lunch lines are long. Hallways are packed. Gym time is limited.

Nearly 9,000 new homes, townhomes, and apartments have been approved across the Lakeville area over the past decade. And Lakeville continues to lead the metro in single-family housing construction. More homes means more families, and more families means more students.

What Each School Is Getting

The total cost estimate comes to about $140 million when you factor in bond issuance costs. Here's how it breaks down by school.

Century Middle School — $51.9 million

Century is getting the biggest investment. The school is adding over $30 million in new construction, including $17 million in new classroom space and a $7.4 million two-station gymnasium. There's also a cafeteria addition, new music rooms, a SPED classroom, and administrative offices. Renovations cover the kitchen, existing SPED space, and STEM areas. Site improvements include additional parking, a tennis court relocation, and stormwater upgrades.

McGuire Middle School — $60.5 million

McGuire actually has the highest total price tag. That includes $27.3 million in additions — new classroom space ($18.2 million), an auxiliary gymnasium ($5.2 million), a CTE metals space, and locker room area. Renovations cover the existing cafeteria, classrooms, music rooms, and PE storage. Parking and stormwater improvements round it out. McGuire's "other project costs" are the largest of the three schools at $15.8 million, covering furniture, technology, permits, testing, and contingencies.

Kenwood Trail Middle School — $26.5 million

Kenwood Trail's scope is smaller but still significant. The school is getting a new $8.4 million gymnasium, a main office extension, kitchen/food service addition, and new FACS space. Renovations include the kitchen, existing cafeteria and music rooms, locker rooms, the existing gym, SPED space, and the media center. Site improvements add parking, expand the tennis courts, and address stormwater.

The Minnesota Department of Education reviewed the proposal back in March and gave it a positive review and comment, confirming the projects appear to be in the long-term interest of the school district.

What It Means for Your Property Taxes

The district estimated the tax impact at about $14 per month for a home valued at $500,000. The bonds will also be eligible for debt service equalization aid from the state, which could offset some of the local tax burden depending on property wealth and student population.

The district has said existing revenues should be enough to cover any increased operating costs from the additional building space. So this bond covers construction, not staffing.

What Happens Next

Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2028 and 2029. The district will need to finalize design work and move into the bidding process. Superintendent Michael Baumann thanked the community in a statement after the vote, saying the improved learning spaces will help ensure every student gets the opportunities they deserve as the community keeps growing.

If you've been watching Lakeville's housing boom and wondering when the schools would catch up, this is the answer. The district already passed a resolution limiting open enrollment to manage capacity, and attendance area adjustments are taking effect for 2026-27. But the referendum is the biggest piece of the puzzle.

The Bottom Line

The vote was closer than some expected — 54 to 46 isn't a landslide. But it got done. Lakeville's middle schools are getting the space they need to handle a growing community. Construction is a couple years out, so families should expect the current crowding to continue in the short term while work gets underway.

Keep an eye on the ISD 194 facility updates page for construction timelines and project details as they roll out.

FAQ

How much will this cost me in taxes? The district estimated about $14 per month for a home valued at $500,000. Your exact amount depends on your property's assessed value and class. The district's FAQ page has a calculator where you can plug in your home value.

When will construction actually start? The district hasn't announced an exact start date yet, but projects are scheduled for completion in 2028 and 2029. Design and bidding will come first.

Will my kid's school be disrupted during construction? That hasn't been detailed yet. The district will likely share plans for managing construction around school schedules as the projects move forward.

Which school is getting the most money? McGuire Middle School has the largest total at $60.5 million, followed by Century at $51.9 million and Kenwood Trail at $26.5 million.

What if the vote had failed? The district said overcrowding would have continued to worsen — bigger class sizes, longer lunch lines, fewer course options, and more pressure on shared spaces like gyms, locker rooms, and cafeterias. Construction costs also tend to rise over time, so waiting would have made the projects more expensive.