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The 20 kindergartners chattering away in this Wayzata classroom are Birchview Elementary students. But they're not in Birchview. They're a block away at Central Middle School.


 
 
 
Four kindergarten classes occupy a wing of the middle school, away from the older sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. They're here because Birchview couldn't handle the influx of all-day students this fall.


 
 
The elementary school has been crowded "for many years," principal Sam Fredrickson said. "With the onset of all-day kindergarten we just couldn't fit everyone in the building."


 
 
 
Birchview will be fine. Wayzata district voters in February backed a $109 million bond package that includes a new elementary school to ease the district's space crunch.


 
 
 
School leaders across the state hope voters will be similarly generous on Election Day.
 


 
Twenty-six districts are asking taxpayers on Tuesday to fund nearly $500 million in proposed school construction. The need stems partly from the Legislature's decision to fund all-day kindergarten. With more students spending the entire day in school, some districts say they've run out of space for students, especially in elementary schools.
 


 
 
Before all-day kindergarten, morning and afternoon students could share the same classroom. Now, kindergartners are in school all day, doubling the need for classroom space. 
 
 


 
Minnesota lawmakers approved $134 million last year to fund all-day kindergarten, a move roundly applauded by the state's education leaders. Fredrickson, however, points out that money only pays for costs like hiring more kindergarten teachers.
 
 


 
"The state funds the operational costs, but they didn't fund the infrastructure costs," he said. "It caused a lot of districts to say 'Whoa, what are we going to do here?'"
 
 


 
So far this year 22 districts have asked voters to approve taxpayer funded construction levies; 15 passed. Those districts now have more than $400 million to build new schools, and add or renovate classrooms.
 

 
 
There are about twice as many school bond questions on ballots this year compared to typical years, said Minnesota School Boards Association spokesman Greg Abbott.
 
 

 
Most of the requests can be tied to the need for 

more space for all-day kindergarten students


 
 
 
The largest on Tuesday's ballot will be in Elk River, Minnesota, where school leaders want voters to approve a $98 million bond package. 


 
 
 
Some of that money would go toward a new building serving pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade, in part to make space for more all-day kindergartners in the district.


 
 
 
While school construction requests are up this year, requests for operating levies — the extra money districts ask voters for so they can hire teachers and pay day-to-day costs — are the lowest since 1995, Abbott said.
 
 


 
That's likely because, after years of flat education funding, schools have seen an increase in state support in recent years, he added. 


Schools have seen "at least a 2 or 3 percent" increase in general education funding since the state closed its budget gap, Abbott said, adding, "every little bit helps."

Districts seeking approval for building bonds and capital projects:
 
Ada-Borup - Facilities improvements - $4,700,000


Centennial - Remodel and enhance safety $49,935,000


Columbia Heights - Capital projects levy for technology -$10,000,000


Eagle Valley - Expand preschool, add classrooms, auditorium - $6,900,000


Elk River - New elementary, additions, security - $98,030,000


Grand Meadow additions, phy ed complex - $3,000,000


Herman-Norcross - Capital projects levy for technology, busses, repairs $5,000,000


Minnewaska - Repairs and renovations - $8,750,000


Moose Lake - New preschool-12 building - $34,700,000


Mora - Elementary school additions - $18,400,000


New London-Spicer - Performing arts center/gym, school additions - $14,630,000


Nashwauk-Keewatin - Capital projects levy - $2,500,000


Norman County East - Capital projects levy $2,750,000


Paynesville Area - Capital projects levy for repairs and technology $2,030,000


Question 2 gym and community center $ 7,800,000


Robbinsdale - Capital projects levy for technology - $3,500,000


Rushford - Peterson - New school - $38,165,000


Sauk Centre - Capital projects levy for technology - $600,000


Sibley East -New elementary school, additions - $43,045,000


St. Anthony-New Brighton - Capital projects levy for curriculum and technology - $4,500,000


Wabasso - Additions and renovations - $8,200,000


Waconia - New school, remodel of middle and high schools - $75,000,000


West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan - Capital projects levy for technology $1,200,000


Question 2 security upgrades at schools $ 3,200,000


Question 3 high school athletic stadium $ 4,500,000


West Central Area - Renovations, improvements to schools - $5,000,000


Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart $180 per pupil


Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley $674 per pupil

District building bonds and capital projects voted on in 2014


 
Wayzata - High school addition, new elementary $109,000,000 - Passed 2/25/2014


2nd question technology levy $2,700,000 - Passed 2/25/2014


Shakopee - New high school - $78,000,000 - Failed 3/11/2014


Grand Meadow - School expansion - $13,700,000 Failed 3/11/2014


Byron - Pre-K school, land - $25,300,000 Passed 3/11/2014


Jordan - Upgrades, middle school remodel & additions - $29,345,000 - Passed 3/11/2014


2nd question - Community center, additions  - $5,245,000 passed 3/11/2014


West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan - Technology levy - $1,700,000 Failed 5/6/2014


2nd question - Early learning center; security upgrades - $11,200,000 - Failed 5/6/2014


Dover-Eyota - Upgrades, additions to elementary school - $7,400,000 Passed 5/7/2014


2nd questions - Upgrade athletic facilities - Passed - $1,250,000


Long Praire-Grey Eagle districtwide deferred maintenance $ 9,000,000 Passed 5/8/2014

  
Fergus Falls upgrade sports facilities $ 2,700,000 Passed 5/13/2014


Cedar Mountain - Upgrade elementary and high school & additions - $7,700,000 - Passed 5/13/2014


Pine Island - New school - $22,000,000 - Passed 5/13/2014


2nd question - Auditorium - $ 11,250,000 - Passed 5/13/2014


Litchfield - Technology levy - $3,200,000 - Passed 5/13/2014


Lakeview - Addition to school - $7,980,000 - Passed - 5/13/2014


Stewartville - New elementary school - $25,000,000 - Passed 5/20/2014


Kasson-Mantorville - Building improvements and additions - $39,800,000 - Passed 5/20/2014


Forest Lake - New high school; improvements at other schools - $188,000,000 Failed 5/20/2014


Underwood - Upgrade music, fitness facilities - $3,400,000 Passed 5/20/2014


Princeton - New K-2 elementary and security upgrades - $29,950,000 - Passed 5/20/2014


Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - Capital levy for technology - $12,000,000 - Passed 8/12/2014


New Ulm - Renovations, construction and land acquisition - $46,900,000 Passed 8/12/2014


Renville County West - Additions and renovations - $4,900,000 - Failed 8/12/2014


Barnum - Remodel, additions and land acquisition - $17,015,000 Fail 8/12/2014

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The Legislature's funding of all-day kindergarten means more students spending the entire day in school. Some districts say they've run out of space for them.

Schools press voters for building cash as all-day kindergartens bulge

Bridget Bennett / MPR News

Birchview Elementary principal Sam Fredrickson .

Schools press voters for building cash as all-day kindergartens bulge

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