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Get Involved
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Yellow Medicine East Public Schools will hold a special election on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, presenting voters with a ballot question for facility and learning environment improvements.
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Our school buildings are deeply tied to the history of our community, but they are also a reflection of the passage of time. The original high school in Granite Falls was constructed in 1930, followed by the elementary school in 1952 and additions made in 1959, 1965, and 1980. As districts combined over the decades—Granite Falls and Clarkfield in 1989, and Echo joining in 1995 to form Yellow Medicine East—our facilities have seen generations of students pass through their halls. Yet, most of these buildings still rely on original systems for heating and plumbing. A recent facilities audit has revealed significant deficiencies, including undersized classrooms, outdated fire alarms, inaccessible labs and restrooms, and unsafe conditions in gyms and playgrounds. Roofs, windows, lighting, and PA systems are failing, and there are no secure entrances for modern safety standards. Even athletic fields lack adequate irrigation, restrooms, and concessions. These aging facilities not only fall short of meeting the needs of today’s students and staff but also pose safety risks and hinder accessibility.
As a community, it's time to reflect on where we've been and take the next step toward ensuring our schools are equipped to serve future generations.
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Our Students.
Every student deserves a safe, accesible place to laern and grow.
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Many classrooms and common spaces are outdated, undersized, or not accessible to all students.
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Current facility limitations impact the ability to support student needs, from special education to modern instructional practices.
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Safety and security systems no longer meet today's best practices for school environments.
At Yellow Medicine East, our students are the heart of everything we do. Unfortunately, many parts of our school buildings no longer meet the basic standards for a modern, inclusive, and secure learning environment. Classrooms are not easily adaptable to current teaching strategies, some spaces are not accessible to all students, and safety systems are in need of serious upgrades. By investing in improved facilities, we can ensure that every student—regardless of ability or background—has a safe, supportive space to thrive.
Our Future.
Modern facilities support real-word learning from the earliest years through graduation.
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Elementary students benefit from flexible, age-appropriate spaces that build strong academic and social foundations.
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Middle and high school students need access to hands-on, career-connected learning opportunities in update labs and classrooms.
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Outdated infrastructure limits how we deliver 21st-century learning experiences across all grade levels.
Preparing students for success begins the moment they walk through our doors. In the early grades, students need welcoming, flexible spaces designed to support curiosity, creativity, and foundational skills. As students grow, their learning needs evolve—demanding access to modern labs, technology-rich classrooms, and real-world, career-connected experiences. Our current facilities were not built for the way education works today, and outdated spaces limit opportunities at every level. With updated infrastructure, we can provide high-quality, engaging learning experiences from kindergarten through high school graduation—setting all students on a path to lifelong success.
Our Focus.
A responsible plan to address needs and protect community investment.
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Annual maintenance funding is not enough to keep pace with the district's growing needs.
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Delaying action will only increase costs due to aging systems and emergency repairs.
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This plan allows us to protect and strengthen the value of our community's largest public asset.
Our focus is on long-term, sustainable solutions. The current patchwork approach to maintenance can’t keep up with the scale of needed repairs and updates. This bond referendum is a fiscally responsible step toward protecting our schools, reducing costly stopgap fixes, and making targeted investments where they’re needed most. We believe our students deserve more than short-term fixes—and our community deserves transparency, stewardship, and a plan for the future.
Who is Vote Yes for YME?
We are Vote Yes for YME—a dedicated team of alumni, parents, teachers, staff, and community members who believe in the power of education to shape strong communities. United by our shared commitment to the children and families of our district, we are passionate about supporting the upcoming school referendum and ensuring a brighter future for Yellow Medicine East.
We look forward to listening, learning, and engaging in meaningful conversations throughout our community. Together, we can build a future where our students, our future, and our focus remain at the heart of everything we do.
Let’s Revive the Hive—for our kids, for our schools, and for generations to come.
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Reversing The Trend
Since 2010, Yellow Medicine East has faced declining enrollment, a trend that impacts not only our schools but the vitality of our entire community. A new school building has the potential to reverse this trajectory by attracting families who are looking for modern, safe, and accessible learning environments for their children. High-quality facilities send a powerful message about the value we place on education and the future of our students. A new building with state-of-the-art classrooms, accessible spaces, secure entrances, and enhanced amenities can create a sense of pride and excitement, making our district a more desirable choice for families. Surrounding districts with updated schools have seen growth in enrollment as families gravitate toward districts that prioritize the needs of students and staff. By investing in our facilities, we are not just building a school—we are building an opportunity to revitalize our enrollment, strengthen our community, and secure a brighter future for YME.
