Testimonials

"These proposed upgrades are essential for retaining our current students, attracting high-quality teachers, and encouraging new families to join our community. Ultimately, investing in our schools is a vital step toward maintaining property values and ensuring the long-term success of our district."

— Pam and Mike Oesterreich, Rdale Alum, Retired Teacher, Parents of Grads, Grandparents of Current Students & Community Members

“Trust me with your babies? Then trust me when I say our school buildings matter. Art teachers know you can’t build something beautiful without the right foundation. Our schools haven’t had a voter-approved building bond since 1981. FORTY-FIVE YEARS. I’m voting YES because our kids deserve classrooms built for their futures, not stuck in 1981.”

— Claire Mielke, 2026 Rdale Teacher of the Year, Rdale Parent, and Community Member

"As a teacher at the School of Engineering and Arts, I teach using an interdisciplinary, STEM focus. This approach has benefited so many of my students. I want that same benefit for ALL students in Robbinsdale. The bond referendum is the first step in making that possible by creating the learning spaces each building needs to support hands-on, project-based learning. The district and its families would benefit for years to come. Vote YES!"

— Tobi Kreifels, Rdale Teacher

"I grew up in this community and am a 2022 Cooper alum. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without my community and 281 education. I had parents, teachers, and coaches who advocated for me, and I am voting yes to ensure the kids in my community are given just as many resources that will help them succeed in life."

— Elijah Enna, Rdale Alum

"As a K-12 graduate and nearly 35-year teacher, I truly consider Robbinsdale Area Schools my home. I returned because of the incredible experience I had as a student. Our students deserve the best education possible. By voting 'YES' on the bond referendum, you help ensure that bright future for ALL Rdale students. Thank you!"

— Jean Braun, Rdale Teacher & Alum

"I’m voting yes because we haven’t passed a building bond referendum in the district in over 45 years. Voting yes means more money for our schools and, in return, higher property values. If we have good schools, people want to be here. If we have bad, underfunded schools, people don’t want to be here. Simple as that."

— Adam Horejsi, Rdale Teacher & Community Member

"All three of my kids received an excellent education. Every student should have the same opportunities mine had. This referendum will help with that! And some day, I will downsize and sell my home. I want a strong school district that will attract new homebuyers. This referendum will help with that too!"

— Shep Harris, Parent of Rdale Grads, Former Golden Valley Mayor & Community Member

"I went to a Meet the Candidates for the 281 School Board with 'Just Kath,' Anthony Lincoln, DJ Brynteson, and Dr. Ken Wutoh. I walked into that meet-and-greet as a strong NO on the bond referendum. I badgered each candidate about WHY this huge investment was needed. I encourage you to contact them. You will walk away knowing that YES is the right approach!"

— Marge Runnakko, Parent of Rdale Grads & Community Member

"We're voting yes because we see this from every angle: as parents who want our kids' schools fully resourced, as homeowners who know strong schools protect property values, and as neighbors who believe a strong district makes for a strong community — whether or not you have kids in it. Investing in 281 has never let us down. This referendum is how we keep investing."

— Joanna Ehresman, Rdale Parent & Community Member

"I’m voting yes because our kids deserve better. As a district parent, resident, and Special Education teacher, I see every day how much our students need spaces where they can learn, create, and thrive. Our current buildings lack those spaces, and we can no longer patch together solutions. Our students deserve the opportunity to learn in spaces built for them."

— Melissa Senyurekli, Rdale Alum, Parent of Current & Graduated Students, & Community Member

"Without the referendum, the coming years for teachers and students will be challenging at best. Passing this referendum gives our district the opportunity to pave a path forward. It is not just about buildings. It is about creating modern educational spaces, freeing up general operating funds that can be invested directly into students & teachers, and positioning our district to not just survive — but to thrive."

— Robynne Curlee, President of Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers

"As a district teacher, parent, and homeowner whose kids will be moving on soon, I want to see future Robbinsdale kids get the same opportunities mine did. My kids are receiving an amazing education and have had incredible opportunities. This building bond will help the district preserve opportunities and create spaces that make hands-on learning possible for more students.”

— John Knutson, Rdale Teacher, Parent of Current Students, and Community Member

"As a Cooper alum, I think one high school could benefit the kids and the community. Some of my friends have never even heard of Cooper when I tell them that's where I went to high school. I want district District 281 to be remembered for being great. I think forming one high school might be the start of that."

— Phoenix Sproles, Rdale Alum

"This is my thirteenth year teaching in the district. I have made so many positive and lasting relationships with students and their families. Coming from a family of educators I have always known that funding education makes our community better and stronger. The bond referendum is a step in right sizing our district and paving the way for improvements that will benefit all in the long run."

— Rose Sybrant, Rdale Teacher

"We know strong schools support strong home values. Our children are now adults, and someday we're going to downsize and sell our home. We want our schools to be valuable community assets that attract young families, like they did for us so long ago. That’s just one of the reasons we’re voting yes!"

— Erik and Barb Olson, Community Members

"How many buildings we operate, their condition, and what it costs to maintain them directly impact the resources we have available for students, staff, classrooms, and programs. Voting yes means helping stabilize our district today, so we can get back to focusing more of our energy on the bigger vision for our students and their future."

— BriAnn Foss, Rdale Alum, Parent of Current + Graduated Students & Community Member

"I am saying 'Yes!' to new educational opportunities and updated spaces for students and teachers. I am ready to invest now because I understand the next steps. I am voting “Yes!” because I believe in public education, I value my community, and the future of our district matters to me and my family."

— Liz Oesterreich, Rdale Staff, Alum, Parent of Current Students, and Community Member

"I’ve worked in public education long enough to know that there is never a perfect solution nor enough time to come up with one. A yes vote to questions 1 & 2 is not perfect, but it is a stable and predictable path forward at a time when our district is in dire critical condition. Once we have stabilized our district, I hope the discussion and debate can continue on how we can make Robbinsdale thrive again."

— Brynn Langlois, Rdale Teacher & Parent of Current Students

"I am, of all things, a Robbinsdale High School grad. As is my wife. We had a great education. Our kids, both Cooper grads, are a decade post high school and had a great experience as well. My future depends on the kids going through school now. I want them to have everything I did, and today requires so much more. We are both voting yes."

— John Roll, Rdale Alum, Parent of Rdale Grads & Community Member

"As an Armstrong & RSI parent who believes in the power of public education and educators, I’m voting YES to support those who built 281, current students, and generations beyond by fostering stronger learning environments and updated educational resources for ALL students to thrive. Overall, I want to invest in a sustainable future and support growth for our educational community."

— Sara Ohotto Bauer, Parent of Current Students & Community Member

"By voting YES on the bond referendum, you’re saying YES to over 9,000 kids. Kids who want to learn from qualified and valued teachers, kids who deserve a stable path forward, and kids who need great learning facilities and opportunities to thrive now and in their futures. It’s our responsibility to give them what we can now."

— Ellie Davis, Rdale Teacher

"This community means the world to my family. Both my husband and I are products of this school district. We raised 3 children here. My husband has worked/coached in the district for 25+ years. We have invested tremendously. However, we are not done investing. We still believe in doing what’s right for every child in our community. That’s why our family is voting YES!"

— Erin Enna, Parent of Rdale Grads, Alum & Community Member

"I’m voting yes to give my children & the district a positive vision to move toward. We cannot ignore the reality of the district’s financial situation. The district has had to make hard choices to consolidate and will continue to with or without a referendum. Voting yes funds a plan for improvement and eases the transition, with long term savings that help the district as a whole."

— Adrienne Kaufman, Rdale Parent & Community Member

"As an Rdale parent who has been vocal about my disagreement with how this decision-making process unfolded, I will vote 'yes' on questions 1 and 2. I still carry anger and frustration, but without this investment now, our community’s shared goal is out of reach: a district that can meet each student’s unique needs and value its educators and support staff for what they bring to our students’ lives."

— Beth Wise, Parent of Current Students & Community Member

"As a parent of a future Rdale student, I’m voting YES to build a stronger community for the long haul. Unifying into one high school will elevate our academic programs, boost extracurriculars, and bring our neighborhoods together under one roof. Investing in safe, modern schools today ensures our children and our entire district have a bright, competitive future."

— Joe Foster, Future Rdale Parent & Community Member

"Many of our families start in our district’s early learning programs, where students and their adult caregivers build strong connections and friendships. I want caregivers to feel confident sending their kids to RAS from pre-K through high school, so those early connections can continue through secondary education and our district truly feels like a community. The bond referendum is critical to making that possible.”

— Debra Irrgang, Rdale Teacher and Community Member

"We will be voting yes because our students and the dedicated staff that support them deserve to work in updated, modern, and secure buildings. I want my child to have strong school infrastructure that keeps kids engaged and supports their learning. Voting yes on the referendum puts Robbinsdale on a path to sustainability and supports teachers, staff and students."

— Abbie Zahler, Rdale Parent

"My husband and I are planting our roots in the district, and I’m fortunate to also work here as a special education teacher. I see firsthand that our buildings directly impact the programming and opportunities we can provide students. We’re voting yes because we’re choosing to invest in the community we’re building our life in."

— Grace Needham, Rdale Teacher & Community Member

“I will be voting yes because these adjustments are necessary and long overdue, and this referendum protects the special experiences that keep our kids engaged while ensuring a stable, strong future for our schools.

Voting yes eliminates waste, rightsizes facilities, and directly invests in our students' learning environments. Investing in our kids—our society's future—keeps our community strong and protects our home values.”

— Emily Menchaca, Rdale Parent

"I am voting yes because we have a problem in the district that needs solving. The people working to solve it, largely, are not the people who caused it. Voting yes gives the district tools to solve this problem. The district’s plan will help improve student outcomes, increase families in the district, and enrich our community. I am voting yes to give our students a strong future."

— James Hron, Rdale Parent

"I am voting yes because I have been inspired by the wonderful teachers & staff I've spoken with about the environments they work in every day. I trust them to teach my children, and I trust them to tell me what it's really like to work in our schools every day. I want the best environment for every student and staff member in our district."

— Katie Vargas, Rdale Parent, Alum & Community Member

"I will be voting yes because the bond will allow us to stop paying the ongoing operating costs of buildings we no longer need, which will help keep the everyday budget focused on teachers and students. As an Rdale graduate, I know teachers make the difference."

— Anthony Denali Lincoln, Rdale Alum & Community Member

"I am voting yes because this referendum provides clarity to the future of our students' education. It improves school buildings and lays out the cost for these changes.

Our students deserve learning spaces that are adapted to help them achieve. If the referendum passes, our students will succeed in a school district that is financially stable for years to come."

— Connor Stawser, Rdale Parent, Staff, and Community Member

"I am voting yes because I believe this referendum will create a safer, more supportive environment for students while also making our schools more sustainable and better equipped to meet the needs of students and staff. I believe investing in our schools now will have a positive impact on our entire community for years to come."

— Kayden Nordby, Rdale Alum & Community Member

“A YES vote is planting a seed that will grow to serve generations of students. I have a child who wants to attend college to be a teacher, and who wants to return to teach in the district. I want her to have a district to return to. A YES vote ensures an equitable district for every child now, and in the future.”

— Nina Jonson, Rdale Parent, Community Member & Former Employee

"To keep pace with Osseo and Wayzata, improvement is essential. Our local schools are old. We, as a district, have invested in a few updates over the last 20 years, but it's time for an aggressive update."

— Brian Hanf, Parent of Rdale Graduate

“I believe bringing our community together into one high school is fiscally responsible and good for our unity as a community. Yes, there will be transition pain, but ultimately, I am convinced it's what's best.

I will be voting yes because I believe all students & staff in Robbinsdale Area Schools deserve modern, flexible learning spaces.”

— Annie Hansen-Burke, Rdale Parent & Coach

“I believe in the promise of public education. Supporting the referendum reflects mine and my family’s values. I will be voting yes this November because our kids deserve it!”

— Rachael Flanery, Rdale Parent

"I have almost 9,000 reasons to vote yes: one for each Rdale student. If this referendum doesn’t pass, their schools will face devastating cuts to key programs and services. Now’s the time to make a better future possible by investing in all of the things it takes for a school district to thrive."

— Laura Steefel-Moore, Rdale Parent & Alum

"Our kids deserve schools built for their future. Change is difficult, especially when it affects our own children, but we can’t preserve the status quo when the status quo is already limiting our kids’ opportunities. I’m voting yes because I believe we need to invest now to build a stronger, more sustainable future for Rdale."