Cloquet Voters OK New Middle School, Pass On Auditorium

CLOQUET, Minn. (AP) — Voters in Cloquet have approved a $48.9 million referendum that includes the construction of a middle school.

Residents voted Tuesday in favor of the new school, but turned down an 800-seat auditorium expected to cost nearly $7 million. The first proposal passed by 225 votes, while the auditorium proposal failed by 263 votes.

Voters also approved plans to relocate early childhood programs to the elementary school, improve safety and security in the district's buildings, upgrade learning areas at the high school and complete maintenance projects.

Officials say other buildings in the district need about $2 million in repairs, including elementary schools struggling with classroom space due to increasing enrollment.

The Cloquet School District plans to either sell or demolish the existing 95-year-old middle school, which is in need of $14 million in repairs.

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