Our Challenges

Why Pequot Lakes Public Schools are proposing a referendum

At Pequot Lakes Public Schools, we are committed to ensuring that our schools are safe, secure and equipped to provide our students with an outstanding education. That starts with regularly identifying ways to improve learning spaces and resources for students. Today, our district has identified several challenges to the long-term quality of our school buildings and programming.

Many HVAC units are over 30 years old and should be updated to avoid further breakdowns and improve energy efficiency.

Many HVAC units are over 30 years old and should be updated to avoid further breakdowns and improve energy efficiency.

Electrical panels are over 60 years old. Parts are obsolete or unavailable which makes repairs very difficult.

Electrical panels are over 60 years old. Parts are obsolete or unavailable which makes repairs very difficult.

The boiler is past its life expectancy and should be replaced.

The boiler is past its life expectancy and should be replaced.

Roofing at both schools is past warranty and needs to be replaced. Leaks like these happen in areas where the roof is worn out.

Roofing at both schools is past warranty and needs to be replaced. Leaks like these happen in areas where the roof is worn out.

Equipment in the auditorium is obsolete and limits capabilities for theater and school events.

Equipment in the auditorium is obsolete and limits capabilities for theater and school events.

Restrooms and locker rooms are outdated and need urgent maintenance and repairs.

Restrooms and locker rooms are outdated and need urgent maintenance and repairs.

Restrooms and locker rooms are outdated and need urgent maintenance and repairs.

Restrooms and locker rooms are outdated and need urgent maintenance and repairs.

Expensive and inefficient fluorescent lights need to be replaced to improve energy efficiency. These lights will no longer be sold starting in 2026, due to new state mandates.

Expensive and inefficient fluorescent lights need to be replaced to improve energy efficiency. These lights will no longer be sold starting in 2026, due to new state mandates.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

Sidewalks and pavers at all sites show damage from wear and tear and need to be updated to improve safety and accessibility.

The high school needs security enhancements with a more secure entrance and centrally located office to better regulate and monitor access.

The high school needs security enhancements with a more secure entrance and centrally located office to better regulate and monitor access.

The design of the pickup/dropoff loop at the secondary campus creates long lines that disrupt traffic.

The design of the pickup/dropoff loop at the secondary campus creates long lines that disrupt traffic.

Pickup/dropoff at Eagle View creates very long lines, leading to road and parking lot congestion.

Pickup/dropoff at Eagle View creates very long lines, leading to road and parking lot congestion.

Long lines for student pickup/dropoff and full parking lots at the secondary campus create congestion and hazards for drivers and pedestrians.

Long lines for student pickup/dropoff and full parking lots at the secondary campus create congestion and hazards for drivers and pedestrians.

Early childhood classrooms are at maximum capacity.

Early childhood classrooms are at maximum capacity.

Our culinary spaces are not large enough to meet demand for both middle and high school classes, which limits the number of students that can enroll.

Our culinary spaces are not large enough to meet demand for both middle and high school classes, which limits the number of students that can enroll.

Because classroom space is at capacity, spaces like the library must be used as temporary classrooms.

Because classroom space is at capacity, spaces like the library must be used as temporary classrooms.

Limited early childhood classroom space forces teachers to manually convert classrooms to serve different age groups. This occurs multiple times per week.

Limited early childhood classroom space forces teachers to manually convert classrooms to serve different age groups. This occurs multiple times per week.

Due to overcrowding, the early childhood motor room is being used as a classroom. This forces teachers to lead motor work with students in hallways instead.

Due to overcrowding, the early childhood motor room is being used as a classroom. This forces teachers to lead motor work with students in hallways instead.

Multi-purpose space is very limited. For example, this room serves as a teacher's office, storage room, break room, and copy room all at once.

Multi-purpose space is very limited. For example, this room serves as a teacher's office, storage room, break room, and copy room all at once.

Serving lines in the cafeteria are crowded and extend into hallways.

Serving lines in the cafeteria are crowded and extend into hallways.

Lab spaces for career, technology, and trades education are undersized, outdated and inadequate.

Lab spaces for career, technology, and trades education are undersized, outdated and inadequate.

Robotics classes do not have a dedicated lab space. The current space is a former storage room that has been converted.

Robotics classes do not have a dedicated lab space. The current space is a former storage room that has been converted.

Parking along Oak Street near the secondary campus is crowded and a hazard for pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

Parking along Oak Street near the secondary campus is crowded and a hazard for pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

Multipurpose spaces like the gymnasium are often overbooked between physical education classes, recess and other events.

Multipurpose spaces like the gymnasium are often overbooked between physical education classes, recess and other events.

Multipurpose spaces like the gymnasium are often overbooked between physical education classes, recess and other events.

Multipurpose spaces like the gymnasium are often overbooked between physical education classes, recess and other events.

There are only four science classrooms for five teachers. One classroom lacks appropriate laboratory space, ventilation and water access.

There are only four science classrooms for five teachers. One classroom lacks appropriate laboratory space, ventilation and water access.

With classroom space maxed out, some teachers must travel between rooms with carts to carry their classes' materials and supplies.

With classroom space maxed out, some teachers must travel between rooms with carts to carry their classes' materials and supplies.

Because many classrooms are at capacity, hallways must serve as overflow spaces for student belongings.

Because many classrooms are at capacity, hallways must serve as overflow spaces for student belongings.

The Eagle View playground has outdated equipment that cannot be repaired. The surface must also be changed to improve accessibility.

The Eagle View playground has outdated equipment that cannot be repaired. The surface must also be changed to improve accessibility.

  • The current middle and high school buildings are at 95% capacity and student enrollment is projected to remain steady or grow slightly over the next decade. This limits our schools’ flexibility to add new classes and sections to popular programs. In some cases, teachers do not have dedicated classrooms for the material they teach. Space is particularly limited for career, technology, and early childhood learning, technical education classes like woods, metals, and small engines, and culinary arts.

    This lack of learning space is exacerbated by a lack of common areas and multipurpose activity spaces. This limits opportunities for students to learn in smaller groups or have workspaces that are not in a classroom.

  • Our district has identified several opportunities to improve the safety and security of our buildings. Ensuring students and staff alike are protected is one of our district’s top priorities.

    • HS Building Entrance: The high school entrance can be more centrally located with enhanced security features.

    • Zoning Capabilities: Zoning systems enable schools to simultaneously open or close different zones of their building with automatically locking doors and other security features. For example, during an athletic event, gym areas can be opened to spectators, while keeping classrooms and other areas closed. Our schools’ ability to do this is currently limited.

    Pickup/Dropoff Loops and Parking: Congestion caused by the pickup/dropoff loops at each school site can be improved for peak times immediately before and after the school day. This would address inefficient traffic flow, lack of parking space, and challenging access to connected roads (County Road 11 and Patriot Avenue).

  • General maintenance is needed at both buildings to replace worn out materials and improve health and efficiency:

    • Roofing at both the MS/HS and elementary school is near or past warranty and should be replaced.

    • Mechanical systems should be upgraded and calibrated to improve energy efficiency.

    • Upgrading lights to LED bulbs and adding occupancy sensors would reduce energy use.

    • A boiler at the elementary school is due for replacement.

    • Playground updates are required at the elementary school.

    • Aging plumbing fixtures, lockers, and layouts in bathrooms and locker rooms need replacement and lack accessibility features.

    • The middle and high school kitchen serving area lacks adequate space.

    • The auditorium equipment needs repair and/or replacement to prevent malfunctions and improve the experience for students and audiences.

Learn about the facility and site planning process.