by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
Spectrum High School, a public charter school, received permission April 17 from the city to expand to a third location at the Elk River Business Park.
The expansion, unanimously approved by the Elk River City Council, would expand educational opportunities and relocate the seventh and eighth grades, according to city documents.
Spectrum High School will be adding a third building to its campus to bring its capacity to 1,000 students.
The growth would also increase the student cap for all of Spectrum’s facilities in the business park to 1,000 students, add gym space and reserve space for a future auditorium and athletic facility. Spectrum will purchase the property where WS Packaging previously operated. The space includes a large open area on the south half of the lot.
“I think it’s a good compromise,” said Mayor John Dietz. “The city and Spectrum worked hard to find a solution.”
Communication between the two entities about the school’s expansion needs have been in the works for some time. According to a letter sent to City Administrator Cal Portner in February by Spectrum officials, active discussions with the city date back to August 2016.
The city held many work sessions to discuss potential land uses within the business park and numerous alternative sites were considered, but nothing seemed to work out.
During a work session Dec. 19, city officials were unable to reach a consensus about the school’s future – including whether to relocate the school or allow its expansion.
“Spectrum is grateful for the work of the staff and Council in seeking solutions for Spectrum’s expansion needs,” the letter said. “We are also thankful for the recognition by City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of Spectrum as a high quality public school option in the City of Elk River. We look forward to continuing our work with the City.”
Schools within the zoned business park area are listed as a conditional use. Following this approval, no more institutional uses will be allowed at the business park, Dietz said.
“They’ve been responsible people and a responsible tenant,” he said, adding one neighbor in the business park that was upset about the institutional use now offering a scholarship.
The approved site is developed and includes 66 parking spaces and 15 classrooms, according to city documents.
School history
Spectrum High School is a public charter high school that enrolls more than 600 students in grades six through 12.
The school opened in 2006, when it served 66 students at the Boys and Girls Club on Sixth Street. In 2007, Spectrum moved to modular classroom units on 181st Avenue. The school continued to grow, according to city documents, and in 2011, it served 390 students at its current high school location.
In 2011, the high school received a conditional use permit to operate a school at 17796 Industrial Circle with an enrollment cap of 525 students. In 2014, the Elk River City Council approved a conditional use permit that allowed the school to open a separate sixth-grade education center at 11044 Industrial Circle, across the street from the existing school building where grades seven through 12 are currently housed. Both buildings are located south of Home Depot at the Elk River Business Park.
The school currently employs 140 people and plans to add 20 to 50 more employees with the expansion.
Spectrum High School anticipates acquiring the land by September at the latest, at which point a construction timeline will be created.