Perham Dent School Board Weighs Nearly Million Dollar Facility Projects

Perham Dent School Board members opened a discussion December 12 on three potential capital projects estimated to total close to nine hundred thousand dollars. The board approved a new district website at a contracted cost of nineteen thousand six hundred eighty dollars, with maintenance set at ninety nine dollars per month through Arvig. The two larger projects, replacing the outdoor tennis courts and resurfacing the elementary school playground surface, were not approved outright and will be studied further in January.

Superintendent comments to the board noted the tennis courts have deteriorated and the playground surface is roughly twelve years old and approaching the end of its useful life. Ballpark estimates cited during the meeting placed the tennis court replacement near seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, while the playground surface replacement was estimated at about one hundred thousand dollars. Given those figures, board members signaled the need for more detailed cost estimates and funding analysis before committing to either project.

The meeting included preliminary discussion of potential bonding as one funding mechanism for the larger projects. The board scheduled additional review in January to examine financing options, project timing, and longer term facility needs. The district will need to balance those capital requests with existing budget constraints and state funding rules.

Long Term Facility Maintenance allocation and state funding dynamics will play a role in the board's decisions. State maintenance allocations and enrollment projections shape how much local dollars are available for routine upkeep, and they inform whether districts seek separate capital financing for major projects. For Perham Dent, enrollment trends will affect both state aid calculations and the district's capacity to absorb bond debt without reducing classroom services.

For families and community members, the outcome will influence recreational access, student safety, and aesthetic appeal of school grounds that are used for school programs and community events. The website upgrade aims to improve communication and transparency while larger facility projects remain under review. The board’s January review will provide residents with a clearer timeline and financial plan for the tennis courts and playground surface.