HOUSTON, Minn. – The Houston School Board voted 5-2 to ask voters for $30.3 million to upgrade security and safety, to improve accessibility, to convert classrooms for cooperative learning space for science and art; and to construct a new auditorium. The issue will be on the August 8 ballot. How Board members voted on asking voters to borrow the money and pay it back over 20 years, which is a standard government process for major projects:
> For: Marissa Bailey, Mimi Carlson, Richard Erdmann, Nicole Johnson, Mark Swenson.
> Against: Josh Norlien, Arlin Peterson.
Two issues will be on the ballot. The first question is $18.2 million for maintenance, safety and academic programming. If it is approved, a second question is for $12.1 million for a high school auditorium for performing arts.