2026 Community Survey - The Choice is Yours

While 56 percent of Minnesota school districts have fewer students than they did 10 years ago, our enrollment has grown by more than 12 percent over that time, making us the second-fastest growing district in Minnesota. This trend is projected to continue. Most of this growth will be on the south side of the District, and those schools are already at or above capacity.

To develop options that increase capacity, the District formed the 2025 Community Facilities Task Force (made up of community members, local city officials, staff, and parents). This group explored a wide variety of solutions and provided recommendations to the School Board. 

Now, we need to hear from all taxpayers to determine what investment, if any, to make at this time. A survey will be conducted - sent to community members via mail and via email by School Perceptions. Staff and school families will, in addition, receive an emailed link. It is expected that the survey will open prior to April 10, with the closing date of April 27, 2026.

Note: A video produced by the ISD 728 Communications Team explaining the information on this website can be found on our YouTube Channel here via this link. 

 

Capacity Challenges 

Projections show that all grade levels on the south side of the District will be over capacity within four years. The most immediate concern is at the high school level.

To build more space, local voters would need to approve a bond referendum, which allows the District to issue debt (take out a loan). 

September 2025>>>     

Task force begins exploring                                             
space needs, potential solutions
                                                   
January 2026 >>>>
Task Force presents to ISD 728 School Board 

Now (Spring 2026) >>> 

Board discusses facility recommendations, explores potential referendum options. Survey issued to community. 
                                              
 November 2026>>>>
Election/Potential Bond and Levy Referendum on ballot                                   

High School Space Pathways

The ISD 728 School Board reviewed the options developed by the Community Task Force with input from District administration and architects:

1. Redraw attendance boundaries

 

This option shifts all attendance boundaries, sending approximately 2,000 students who currently attend southern and central schools further north over the next five years. This addresses capacity challenges now, but the high schools would be over capacity again in five years. The District decided not to pursue this option because it does not address long-term needs and would have significant impacts on students and families.

2. Rogers High School addition

This option expands Rogers High School to serve an additional 1,000 students, increasing the total capacity to 2,900 students. This would solve capacity issues for approximately 10 years. In addition, it would require purchasing land. This option would be the most expensive on a per-student basis. The District decided not to pursue this option because it only addresses our needs for 10 years and is too expensive.  

3. New high school in Otsego

This option builds a high school in Otsego. The District would like public feedback on this option because it provides the best long-term solution to address capacity needs and allows us to better balance enrollment.

With this option, some sports/activities (for example, hockey and gymnastics) will be “cooperative,” with teams combined from Rogers and the proposed Otsego High School. We do this already at other high schools (Elk River and Zimmerman) and it will allow us to maintain competitive programs.

New Otsego High School Size

If the community supports building a new high school in Otsego, we need your feedback on how big it should be: 

* 1,900-student capacity

This would address all high school capacity challenges at one time and make these schools the same size.

• This school would include the same features as our other high schools such as an auditorium, competition gyms, and outdoor athletic fields.
• Because construction costs will increase over time, this approach would be more efficient and save money by completing the whole building now instead of over multiple phases.

Estimated cost: $230 million

OR

* 1,300-student capacity

This would address high school capacity challenges for now, but require another bond referendum in the next 5 to 10 years.

• While this would have a lower cost now, it likely would be more expensive overall because of rising construction costs.
• This option offers flexibility to phase in facility expansions/specialized spaces as the student population grows and needs increase.

Estimated cost: $170 million

 

Other Facility Projects

In addition to increasing capacity at the high school level, the District will also need to:

• Build a school to serve students in grades E-8.
• Build a school to serve special education students with high needs (Setting IV) and students who need additional support beyond the traditional school setting.
• Update career and technical education (CTE) spaces in the high schools to better prepare our students for jobs and careers in the area. This includes spaces for auto, manufacturing, engineering, woods, health services, culinary, and DECA (business/entrepreneship program).
• Improve safety by renovating and better securing the entrances at Rogers Middle and Zimmerman Middle/High schools to match other ISD 728 schools.

Estimated cost: $155 million

 

Operational Funding

The District will need $9 million in additional funding annually to heat, clean, and operate the new spaces. This money would come from a Capital Projects Levy and be included as part of the bond referendum.

 

Funding Support

Note: If voters do not support any bond referendum, the District will have to redraw boundaries as outlined on page 3. 

 

Thank you for your support! We sincerely value your time and input.