Another school district, another merger

The Proctor school district is looking to consolidate its two elementary schools next year.

After years of considering the move, Proctor Superintendent John Engelking said Monday that the district is moving ahead with plans to merge Caribou Lake and Pike Lake elementary schools.

“The decision stems from operational efficiency, both short and long-term maintenance and the opportunity to provide more uniform curriculum and academic program for the elementary students,” he said.

To accommodate the consolidation, the district plans to build a roughly 10,000 square-foot addition on to Pike Lake Elementary that would house four to six new classrooms as well as a new gymnasium. Caribou Lake Elementary would then close. The proposal recently received approval from the Minnesota Department of Education.

Despite the green-light from the state, nothing is set in stone yet. The district still needs to hold a hearing on the potential Caribou Lake closure before the Proctor School Board can weigh in on final approval.

If eventually approved, the approximately $2.3 million would be paid for through the sale of bonds. Engelking said the district is hopeful proceeds gained from selling Caribou Lake Elementary would offset a lot of that cost, though he wouldn’t say how much he thinks the property is worth. Funding for the project would not be put to a popular vote.

The hearing on the Caribou Lake closure is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Pike Lake media center.

Tags: eduspeak, blogtest