$1.5 million levy passes with strong support

Updated 4-16-20
With 78 percent of those casting ballots voting yes, either in person or absentee, the District 777 $1.5 million levy for the construction of a new sports facility easily passed Tuesday. The unofficial vote was 671 for and 191 against. In all, 862 votes were cast.
Voting this spring had a heavy emphasis on casting absentee ballots in light of the deadly and highly contagious coronavirus sweeping the country. The goal was to keep people from having to mingle with others while casting ballots.
It was preliminarily estimated that more than 460 ballots cast in the levy referendum were cast absentee.
The new sports facility will primarily be used by the Benson-Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg gymnastics program. The program has been performing and practicing in the Benson Armory for more than two decades. The cramped space is considered too small for safe practice or competition. The gymnastics program was required to take down and put away its equipment and mats each weekend so that armory floor could be used for roller skating. The constant moving took considerable coach, athlete and gymnast time and caused unnecessary wear and tear on the equipment.
The armory also didn’t have a pit filled with cushioning material for gymnasts to practice over. The pit provides a safe landing space for new gymnasts as they learn how to use the equipment and practice their routines. It also allows gymnasts advancing their skills to practice more difficult routines.
The proposed building will be built on a vacant lot the school district owns just east of the football field and north of the high school. If construction can start soon, the gymnastics program should be able to practice and perform for part of next season in its new facility.
“Activity space like this is critical to Benson Public School’s mission to maximize resources to ensure that students are well-rounded graduates,” Supt. Dennis Laumeyer said following the vote. “While the academic experience is always a top priority, extra-curricular offerings are also important to helping students grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. 
“This project is consistent with the school district’s continued efforts to provide high-quality education and impactful programs that engage students, as well as their commitment to the success of our district and our community.
It is with gratitude and appreciation that I send a message of thanks to our community for supporting the students and the school district, a new multipurpose activity space, and for bolstering our student engagement. We are humbled and proud to work in such a wonderful community that is committed to the success of our students and our future.”
Bidding for contractors has already begun and construction on the new multipurpose activity space is set to begin yet this spring, he said.

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