**EDL,C.-\ TIO?\:**  **1":\'.D::!'E::'\DE?\T SCHOOL**  **DISTRICT: 80\"D**  **EL::CT!O\: REVIEW**  **_.:..:\D COM\[E:\iT:**  **Schoo: board**  **\,·hich receives**  **pe�irion by**  **,·0c�:-:: co**  **hold snecia!**  **dection to**  **authorize issuance**  **o:' oonds**  **tor school**  **facility must**  **submit project**  **for �e\'ie,,·**  **and commem** 

**. .'\**  **com munity**  **recreationai facility**  **as described**  **by school**  **district is**  **sub ject**  **10 reviev.·**  **and comment**  **proc :** **dures .o** **� nless**  **the review**  **and comment**  **is negative. school board**  **must call**  **the specialo** 

**. elecuon**  **petmoned by**  **,·oters . Minn. Stat.**  **§§ 121.148 (1996).**  **121.15 (Supp.**  **1997). 205A.05**  **(Supp. 1997).**  **Affirmative vote**  **in bond**  **election does**  **not compel**  **board to**  **issue bonds.**  **Op. Atty.**  **Gen. 159-a-3.**  **May 25.**  **I 970.** 
**March 11,**  **--1998 John**  **M. Roszak,**  **Esq. Jay**  **T. Squires,**  **Esq. Ratwik,**  **Roszak, Maloney,**  **P.A. 300**  **Peavey Bldg.**  **159-a-3o (Cr.**  **Ref. to**  **159-b-L 622-a-l**  **and 622-b) 730**  **Secon d**  

### Ave. **South Minneapolis,**  **MN 55402**  **Dear Messrs.**  **Ro-;;zak and**  **Squires: In**  **your letter**  **to Attorney**  **General Hubert**  **H. Humphrey**  **III you**  **present substantially**  **the following:**  

### FACTS **In October**  **of 1997,**  **Independent School District**  **No. 197**  **(West St.**  **Paul Mendota**  **Heigh ts-Eagan)**  **was presented with a**  **petition si** **gn ed**  **by voters**  **of the**  **School District.**  **The petition**  **requests the**  **Board of** **Educ ation**  **to authorize**  **an d**  **bold a special election**  **for the**  **school district "**  **in accordance**  **with applicable**  **and current**  **Minnesota State**  **Statutes." The**  **petition goes on**  **to state:**  **The Special**  **Election ballot**  **will pose**  **question(s) to**  **District voters**  **authorizing**



# - **the sale**  **of bonds**  **to finance**  **the design,**  

# - **construction and**  **equipping of** **a multi-purpose**  **activity center**  **to be**  **located at**  **the Henry**  **Sibley High**  **School campus.**  **The activity**  **center could**  **house facilities to**  **serve all**  **District resident**  **and youth**  **programs. Previously,**  **the School**  **District had**  **created a**  **community task**  **force to**  **study various**  **proposals. including**  **proposals that contemplated**  **the erection**  **of a**  **community activity**  **center in**  **the District.**  **In September**  **of 1996,**  **the School**  **Board detennined.**  **based on**  **cost considerations**  **and the**  **availability of** **existing space.**  **that plans**  **to erect**  **a community**  **facility were**  **not feasible. As**  **a result**  **of receiving**  **the petition**  **for the**  **special election.**  **the admini** **stration of**  **the School**  **District has**  **anempted to**  **determine the**  **cost of** **architectural and**  **design fees**  **to comply**  **with Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **121.148 �-**  **if the**  **District is**  **required to**  **do so**  **prior to**  **cond uct**  **ing an**  **dection pursuant**  **to the**  **petition. Although**  **the matter is not**  **without so** **me uncenainty.**  **the District**  **has been**  **advised that**  **it could**  **cost approximately**  **S10.000 to**  **S�5. 000**  **for such**  **fees.**

### Messrs. **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **2**

**You then**  **ask substantially**  **the following:**  **QUESTIO:'.'l' ONE**  

### Whether **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 205A.05.**  **subd. l**  **(Supp. 1997)** **authorizes voters of a**  **school district.**  **by petition,**  **to compel**  **the School**  **District to**  **hold a**  **special election**  **on the**  **question of** **issuance of** **bonds for**  **construction of** **school facilities?**  **OPINION** 

### Subject **to our**  **response to**  **your third**  **question as**  **discussed below,**  **we answer**  **your first**  **question in**  **the affirmative.**  **In Op.**  **Atty. Gen.**  **159 -** **a -** **3 ,**  **May 25,**  **1970, construing**  **the provisions**  **of Minn.**  **Stat §**  **123.32, subd.**  **22 (1967),**  **we concluded**  **that a**  **petition of** **the voters**  **caliing for**  **a special**  **election on**  **the question**  **of issuing**  **bonds to**  **finance construction**  **of an**  **outdoor hockey** 

**arena required**  **that the**  **school board**  **call an**  **election on**  **the matter.**  **We also**  **concluded, however,**  **that while**  **an affirmative**  **vote in**  **the election**  **authorized the**  **school board**  **to issue the bonds,**  **it did**  **not compel**  **the board**  **to issue**  **the bonds.**  **Although the**  **special election provisions**  **for school**  **districts are**  **now contained**  **in Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **205A.05, subd.**  **l(Supp. 1997)**  **rather than**  **Minn. S** **tat. §**  **123.32, subd. 22,**  **we conclude**  **that the**  **answer to**  **your question**  **remains the**  **same under**  **the current**  **starute. In**  **1987, the**  **Legislature repealed**  **Minn. Stat.** **§** 

### 123.32 (1986) **effective July**  **1, 1988. Minn.**  **Laws 1987,**  **ch. 266,**  **art. 2,**  **§§ 14**  **and 15.**  **At the**  **same time.**  **it enacted**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ :205A.05**  **to address**  **the subject**  **of special**  **elections in**  **school districts.**  **).finn. Law** **s 1987.**  **ch. 266.**  

### art. **l. §§**  **52 and**  **69. One**  **obvious difference**  **between the**  **last v** **e r** **sio r:**  **o f** **Minn. Stat. § l** **�3.32. subd. 22 (** **1986) and**  **the special**  **election language**  **of section**  **205A.05. si.:odivision**  **1 � enacted**  **in l** **987 is**  **the addition**  **of the**  **first sentence**  **of the**  **latter. It**  **provides:**

### Messrs. **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **3 Special**  **elections must be**  **held for**  **a school**  **district on**  **a question**  **on w** **hic h**  **the voters**  **are authorized**  **by law**  **to pass** **judgment. Under Minnesota** **law, voters**  **are authorized**  **to "pass judgment''**  **on a** **variety of** **issues through**  **the election**  **process. For**  **example, voters**  **are authorized**  **to approve**  **consolidation actions**  **(Minn. Stat.**  **§ 122.23** **, subds.**  **10-13 (1996));**  **to increase**  **the size**  **of the**  **school board**  **(Minn. Stat.**  **§ 123.33** **, subd.**  **1 (1996));**  **to increase**  **the tax**  **levy of** **the school**  **district (Minn.**  **Stat. §e** **124.A.03 ,**  **subd. 2(a)**  **and (b)**  **(1996)); or**  **to revoke**  **or reduce**  **the amount**  **generated thereby**  **ilii.e at**  **clause (c));**  **and to**  **authorize the**  **school board to**  **issue general**  **obligation bonds**  **for school**  **facility construction**  **projects (Minn.**  **Stat. § 475.58,**  **subd. 1**  **(1996)) .**  **Except for**  **the last**  **example, each**  **of these**  **elections mandates**  **that some**  **action be** **taken following**  **an affirmative**  **vote of** **a majority**  **of those**  **voting on**  **the question.**  **In either**  **c a** **se, however,**  **the voters**  **are "** **passing judgment"**  **on ques** **tions which**  **necessitate voter approval**  **a s**  **a prerequisite**  **to action.**  **The last**  **example, an**  **election authorizing**  **a school**  **board to**  **issue general obligation bonds,**  **does not**  **compel the**  **board to**  **issue the**  **bonds. Op.**  **Atty. Gen.**  **159-a-3, May**  **25, 1970.**  **Nevertheless, unless**  **an exception**  **to the**  **general rule**  **applies, a**  **school board**  **may not**  **issue general**  **obliga tion**  **bonds for**  **the school**  **district without**  **an affirmative**  **vote at**  **the election.**  **Consequently, voters**  **at school**  **bond elections are**  **"passing judgment"**  **upon the**  **question of** **whether their**  **school board**  **should be**  **authorized to issue**  **bonds for**  **the purpose**  **presented at**  **the election.**  **Thus. w** **e conclude**  **that the**  **first sentence of** **section 205A.05,**  **subdivision l**  **does not**  **preclude a**  **special election**  **by petition**  **on the**  **question of** **authorizing the**  **school board**  **to issue**  **bonds. Messrs.**  **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **4 Significantly,**  **the remainder**  **of the**  **special election language**  **of section**  **205A.05, subdiv** **ision 1**  **(Supp. 1997)**  **is substantially**  **identical to**  **its predecessor.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 123.32,**  **subd. 22,**  **(1986). The**  **language of** **section 123.32,**  **subdivision 22.**  **relied upon**  **in Op.**  **Atty. Gen.**  **159-a-3, May 25** **, 1970, remained**  **the same**  **until its**  **repeal in**  **1987. That**  **language provided**  **ine relevant**  **part that:**  **The board**  **of an**  **independent district may**  **and upon**  **petition ...**  **shall by**  **resolution call a**  **special election**  **to vote**  **on any**  **matter requiring**  **approval of** **the voters**  **of the** **district. The**  **new special**  **election provision,**  **enacted as**  **section 2** **0 5A.05,**  **subdivision 1**  **provides in**  **relevant part**  **that: Upon**  **petition ...**  **the school board**  **shall by**  **resolution call**  **a special**  **election to**  **vote on**  **any matter**  **requiring approval**  **of the**  **voters of** **a district.**  **Consequently, for**  **purposes of** **responding to**  **your first**  **question, the**  **provisions of** **the new**  **school district**  **special election**  **statute contain**  **substantially the**  **same terms**  **as its**  **immediate predecessor. Thus,**  **we conclude**  **that your**  **first question**  **is resolved**  **by Op.**  **Atty. Gen.**  **159-a-3, May**  **2 5** **, 1970.**  **Based upon**  **the foregoing,**  **it is**  **our opinion**  **that, subject**  **to the**  **qualifications di** **scussed below,**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 205A.05,**  **subd. 1**  **(Supp. 1997)**  **authorizes the**  **voters of** **a school**  **district., by**  **petition. to**  **compel the**  **school district**  **to hold**  **a special**  **election on**  **the question**  **o f** **issu ance**  **ofe _e**  **1 bonds**  **for const**  **ruction of**  **school facilities.e** 

**[te**

**is not**  **the intention**  **of this**  **opinion to**  **review the**  **sufficit:ncy of**  **the petition**  **nor is**  **such a**  **re\'ie\v necessary**  **to respond**  **to the**  **questions presented.**  **1 Messrs.**  **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **5**
**Your letter**  **presenting the**  **District's request for**  **an opinion**  **also expresses**  **a concern about**  **another issue**  **raised by**  **the first**  **question. The**  **concern is**  **that the voters' petition**  **has been**  **presented in**  **a situation**  **where the**  **School Board**  **has recently**  **considered the**  **feasibility of** **the project**  **which is**  **the subject**  **of the**  **petition and**  **the School**  **Board detennined not**  **to pursue**  **the project.**  **Under the**  **facts presented,**  **however, more**  **than a**  **year has**  **passed between**  **the School**  **Board's decision**  **that the**  **project was**  **not feasible**  **and its**  **receipt of** **the voters'**  **petition. While**  **the facts**  **presented do**  **not indicate**  **whether the**  **School Board**  **ever submitted**  **the question**  **of issuing**  **bond s**  **for the**  **community recreational**  **facility to**  **the voters,**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 475.58,**  **subd. la**  **(1996) allows**  **the question**  **of authorizing bonds**  **to be**  **raised a**  **second time**  **within a**  **period of** **as little**  **as 180**  **days from**  **the date**  **an election**  **was held**  **for the**  **same purpose**  **and for**  **the same**  **amount. The**  **fact that**  **the School**  **Board considered**  **the feasibility**  **of the**  **proposed project**  **or a**  **similar one**  **over a**  **year ago**  **does not**  **now bar**  **a special**  **election by**  **petition from**  **being held.**  **QUESTION T\VO**  **If the**  **answer to**  **Question One**  **is in**  **the affinnative.**  **whether the**  **School District**  **must comply**  **with Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **121**
**. 148**  **�-· the**  **review and**  **commen t**  **law, prior**  **to the**  **conduct of** **the election?**  **OPINIOi'i We**  **answer to**  **your second**  **question in**  **the affirmative.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.**  **1 5,**  **subd. 6**  **(Supp. 1997)**  **provides in**  **relevant part**  **that: A**  **school district** 

**... must**  **not initiate**  **an installmem**  **contract for**  **purchas� or**  **a lease**  **agreement. hold**  **a referend** **u m** **for bonds.**  **nor solicit**  **bids for**  **new construction.**  **expansion. or**  **remod eling**  **of an**  **educ ational**  **facilhy that**  **requires an**  **expenditure in**  **access of** **S--1-00.000 per school site**  **prior to**  **review and**  **comment by**  **the commissioner.** **Messrs. Roszak**  **and Squires**  **Page 6**  **(Emphasis added.)**  **The special**  **election under**  **section 205A.05, subdivision**  **l. discussed**  **in response**  **to your**  **first question,**  **is certainly**  **a ·"referendum**  **for bonds"**  **within the**  **meaning of**  **section 121.15,**  **subdivision 6.**  **Neither section**  **205A.05 nor**  **the review**  **and com** **ment provisions**  **of section**  **121.15 contain**  **any express**  **exemption allowing**  **a referendum**  **for bonds**  **to be**  **held pursuant**  **to a**  **petition for**  **a special election**  **witho u** **t a review**  **and comment.**  **Consistent with**  **the goal**  **of statutory**  **construction, we**  **believe that**  **section 205A.05,**  **subdivision l an** **d section**  **121.15,**

**as relevant**  **to the**  **subject of** **your questions,**  **may be**  **construed so**  **that effect**  **may be**  **given to**  **both. Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **-545.26, subd.**  **1 (1996).**  **One purpose**  **of the**  **special election**  **by voter**  **petition set**  **out in**  **section 205A.05,**  **subdivision 1**  **is to**  **allow questi** **ons to**  **be put**  **before the**  **voters of** **the district**  **where the**  **school bo** **ard may**  **have chosen**  **not to**  **do so.**  **An affirmative**  **vote at**  **the special**  **election. particularly**  **where a**  **significant number**  **of voters**  **participate and**  **support the**  **ballot question.**  **may be**  **persu �** **ive and**  **convince the** **school board**  **to change**  **its position**  **and pursue**  **the project**  **which is**  **the subject**  **of the**  **ballot. The**  **purposes of** **the review**  **and comment**  **provisions of** **Minn. Stat.**  **§e\ 21.148**  **(1996) and**  **Minn. StaL**  **§ 121.15**  **(Supp. 1997)**  **are co** **mpatible with**  **the special**  **electione by**  **petitio n**  **purposes of** **the section 205A.05.**  **subdivision 1.**  **Prior to**  **holding a**  **referendum for**  **bonds, and**  **to aid**  **the Commissioner**  **of Children** **, Families.** **-& Leaming**  **in conducting**  **a review**  **and cornmenL**  **a school**  **district is**  **required to provide**  **the Commissioner**  **with a**  **substantial amount**  **of information**  **about a**  **proposed project.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.15. subd.**  **-: , Supp.**  **1997). Such**  **information ranges**  **from the**  **anticipated need**  **for the**  **facility. a**  **reasonably detailed**  **descrip t** **ion of** **the construction**  **project. the**  **estimated annual**  **operating costs. the**  **dfocts of** **the Messrs.**  **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **7 proposed**  **facility on**  **the district's**  **operating budget.**  **the anticipated**  **benefit of** **the facility**  **to the** 

**area. and**  **the level**  **of collaboration**  **at the**  **facility ben.veen**  **the district**  **and other governmental**  **and nonprofit**  **entities. Jv{inn.**  **Stat. §**  **121 . l 5,**  **subd. 7(b** **), ( c** **), (** **d). (f),**  **(k), and**  **(1). Using**  **the information**  **required to**  **be submitted**  **by subdivision**  **7, and**  **other information**  **as determined**  **by the**  **Commis sioner,**  **the Commissioner**  **eva l** **uates the**  **proposed project,**  **addresses its**  **educational and**  **economic advisability,**  **and returns**  **the review and**  **comment to**  **the school**  **district within**  **60 days.**  **Minn. Stat**  **§ 121.15,**  **subd . 8**  **(1996). The**  **review and**  **comment may**  **be either**  **positive, unfavorable**  **or negative.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.148,**  **subd. 1;**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.15,**  **subd. 8**  **(1996). The**  **results of** **the review**  **and comment**  **impact a**  **bond election**  **differently. If** **a project**  **receives either**  **a positive**  **or an**  **unfavorable review**  **and comment,**  **the school**  **board is**  **required to**  **publish the**  **Commissioner's review**  **and comment in**  **the district's**  **legal newspaper**  **before a**  **bond election**  **is held.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.15,**  **subd. 9**  **(1996). A**  **positive review and**  **comment provides**  **information to**  **the voters**  **so that**  **they ca** **n make**  **a n**  **informed decision at**  **the polls.**  **An unfavorable**  **review and**  **comment requires**  **reconsideration of** **the project**  **by the**  **school board**  **and, if** **the question**  **is nevertheless**  **submitted to**  **the voters.**  **requires a 60%**  **affirmative v** **ote at**  **the election**  **to authorize**  **t he**  **issuance of school**  **bonds. Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.148, subd.**  **4. A**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **precludes the**  **district from**  **proceeding with**  **construction. Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **121.148. subd. 3(c)**  **(1996). [n**  **summary, the**  **information provided**  **by the**  **scho ol**  **district to**  **the Commissioner**  **allows the**  **Commissioner to**  **make a**  **decision on**  **the project.**  **If a bond**  **dection is**  **to be**  **held. th** **e Commissioner·** **s decision**  **is shared**  **by the**  **school board**  **w ith**  **its \"Otc!rs**  **prior to**  **the dec** **t ion.**  **The Messrs.**  **Roszak and**  **Squires Page 8** 
**infonnation gives**  **the voters**  **information from**  **which they**  **can make**  **infonned decisions**  **on the pro**  **ject in**  **deciding whether**  **to authorize**  **the school**  **board to**  **issue bonds**  **for the**  **project. Based**  **on the**  **foregoing, section**  **205A.05, subdivision**  **l allows**  **voters to**  **petition to**  **bring certain matters**  **to an**  **election by**  **all of** **the voters**  **of the**  **district where**  **the school**  **board may**  **have otherwise**  **declined to**  **act on**  **the matter.**  **Sections 121.148**  **and 121.15**  **provide a**  **procedure through**  **which voters**  **will receive**  **inform ation**  **fr om**  **which they can**  **make an**  **informed decision**  **at the**  **polls. It**  **is, therefore, o** **u r**  **opinion that**  **the school district**  **must comply**  **with Minn.**  **Stat. §e** 

**121.148 and**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 1 21.15** **, the**  **review a** **n d**  **comment law** **, prior**  **to conducting**  **a bonde**  **election initiated by**  **a petition**  **of the**  **voters pursuant**  **to section**  **205A.05, subdivision**  **l.** 

### QUESTION **THREE If** **the answer**  **to Question**  **No. 2**  **is in**  **the affirmative.**  **whether a**  **bond election**  **pursuant to**  **a petition**  **must be**  **held if** **the review**  **and comment**  **process results**  **in a**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **to the**  **School District?**  

### OPINION **Based upon**  **the assumption**  **that the**  **Commissioner · s**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **follows the**  **procedure set**  **o ut**  **in Section**  **121.148. subd.**  **3. ,ve**  **answer your**  **question in**  **the negative.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.148,**  **subd. 3(c)**  **provides that:**  **A school**  **board ma** **v no** **t pro** **c eed** **wi t** **h construction**  **if th**  **e state**  **board of**  **education upholds**  **the com** 

**m issioner·s**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **or the**  **commissioner's negative**  **review and**  **comment is**  **not appealed.**  **(Emphasis added.)**  **T o**  **give effect**  **to the**  **impact of** **a negatiYe**  **reYiew and**  **comme n** **t .**  **we believe**  **the phrase**  **. .** **proceed with**  **construction .** **. in**  **clause (c)**  **inch.i d** **es those**  **items iciemified**  **in sectione**  **l 21** 

**. l** **5. subd.**  **6 ( Su** **pp .**  **1997) as**  **part of** **an entire**  **project leading**  **up to**  **the constructione** **expansion .** **Messrs. Roszak.**  **and Squires**  **Page 9** 

**or remodeling**  **of a school**  **building. Thus,**  **a school district**  **which receives a**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **"must not**  **initiate an installment**  **contract for**  **purchase or**  **a lease**  **agreement. hold**  **a referendum**  **for bonds,**  **nor solicit**  **bids for**  **new construction,**  **expansion, or**  **remodeling or** 
**an education**  **facility ....** **" Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **121.15, subd.**  **6. We**  **reach this conclusion**  **since each**  **of these**  **activities· involves**  **an expenditure**  **of funds**  **and some**  **involve long**  **term commitments**  **by a**  **school district**  **where the**  **school district**  **has been**  **precluded by**  **a negative**  **review and**  **comment from**  **proceeding with**  **construction. We**  **realize that**  **the conclusion**  **that a**  **negative review**  **and comment**  **precludes a**  **bond election**  **by voter**  **petition is**  **at odds**  **with one**  **of the**  **conclusions in**  **Op. Atty.** **Gen. 159-** **a -3,**  **May 25,**  **1970. In**  **that opinion,**  **we concluded**  **that a**  **petition by**  **voters for**  **a special**  **election on authorizing**  **the sale**  **of bonds**  **required the**  **school district**  **to hold**  **such an**  **election. However, the**  **statutory provisions**  **precluding a**  **school district**  **from proceeding**  **with construction based**  **on a**  **negative review**  **and comment were not**  **enacted until**  **1990. Minn.** **Laws 1990,**  **ch. 562,**  **art. 5.**  **§e1, subd.**  **3.e By**  **contrast. the**  **statutory provisions**  **providing for**  **a special**  **election by**  **petition of** **the voters**  **significantly �redate**  **1990. The**  **pro,isions of** **section 205A.**  **05, subdivision**  **l. providing**  **for a**  **special election**  **by petition**  **of the**  **voters. as**  **enacted in**  **1987. are**  **substantially identical**  **to those**  **contained in**  **its longstanding**  **predecessor. Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **123.32. subd.**  **22 (l** **986). \vhich** 

**was repealed**  **in the**  **same l** **987 lav<1. Minn.**  **Laws I** **987. ch.**  **266. an.** **l. �**  **52 and**  **an. 2.**  **§ 14.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 645.37**  **t l 996)**  **provides in**  **rek\·am pan**  **that: When**  **a la\v**  **is repealed**  **and irs**  **provisions are**  **at the**  **same :ime**  **ree:mcted in**  **the same**  **or substantially**  **the same**  **tierrns by**  **the repealing**  **law. :he**  **�ar\ier la\V**  **shall be**  **consrrued :is**  **continued in**  **:.icti\·e npt!ration.** **Messrs. Roszak**  **and Squires**  **Page 10**  **Thus, after**  **rece ipt**  **of a**  **petition, Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **205A.05, subd.**  **L containing**  **substantially the**  **same languag** **e construed**  **in Op.** **Atty. Gen.**  **159-a-3, May**  **25, 1970,**  **generally requires**  **a school**  **district to**  **hold an**  **election on**  **the question**  **of authorizing**  **the school**  **board to**  **issue bonds**  **for construction.**  **On the**  **other hand,**  **a negative**  **review and**  **comment issued**  **pursuant to**  **sections 121.148**  **and 121.15**  **precludes the**  **_holding of**  **such an**  **election. This**  **conflict is**  **resolved by**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 645.26,**  **subd. 4**  **(1 996)**  **with the**  **result that**  **the law**  **specifying the**  **impact of** **a negative**  **review and**  **comment, as**  **the law**  **latest in**  **date of**  **final enactment, prevails.**  **This interpretation**  **also avoids**  **the unreasonable**  **result of** **holding an**  **election to**  **authorize the**  **issuance of** **bonds for**  **a project**  **which has**  **been precluded**  **by a**  **negative revi** **ew and**  **comment. Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **645.17 (1996).**  **Based upon**  **the foregoing,**  **it is**  **our opinion**  **that no**  **school bond**  **election may**  **be held**  **if a**  **negative revi** **e w**  **and comment**  **is issued**  **regardless of** **whether the**  **election is**  **proposed by**  **the school**  **board or**  **pursued by**  **the voters**  **through a**  **petiti on.**  

### QUESTION **FOUR Whether**  **the review**  **and comment**  **procedures apply**  **to the**  **construction of**  **a mul** **ti-purpose community**  **recreational facilit**  **y? OPINION**  **We answer**  **your question**  **in the**  **affirmatiY e** **. As**  **indicated in**  **your letter.**  **the contemplated**  **multi-purpose community**  **recreational facility**  **may consist**  **of an**  **ice arena.**  **soccer field.**  **swimming pool.**  **and senior**  **center. The**  **facility \\·ould**  **be �onstructed**  **on school**  **property and**  **other governmental**  **and private**  **organizations may**  **be invoh·ed**  **in the**  **project. lt**  **is -!Stimated**  **that. Messrs.**  **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **l l**
**if constructed,**  **the School**  **District would**  **utilize the**  **facility in**  **its education**  **prog ra** **m on**  **a jQ3⁄4**  **time b�is**  **while other**  **community activities**  **would utilize**  **the facility**  **the other**  **50% of** **the time.**  **You have**  **noted that**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 121.15,**  **subd. 6**  **(Supp . 1** **997) uses**  **the term**  **"educational facility"**  **while Section**  **121.148 (1996)**  **uses the**  **term ··school**  **facility." See**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§e**

**121.148, subds.**  **1 and**  **3 ( 1996).e**  **In the**  **context of** **a multi-purpose**  **community recreational**  **facility intended**  **to be**  **used as**  **described in**  **your letter,**  **we do**  **not find**  **the difference**  **in the**  **terms ..**  **educational facility"**  **and "school**  **facility" to**  **be significant.**  **The multi-purpose**  **commwlity recreational**  **facility described**  **in your**  **letter can**  **be appropriately**  **described as**  **either a**  **"school facility"**  **or an**  **"educational facility."**  **In determining**  **whether the**  **Legislature intended**  **that a**  **multi-purpose communi** **t y**  **recreational facility**  **as described**  **is subject**  **to the**  **review and** **comment pr**  **ovisions, it**  **is appropriate**  **to look**  **at other**  **laws on**  **the same**  **or a**  **similar subject.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 645.16**  **(5) (** **1996). Since the**  **School District**  **would be**  **proceedin g**  **with an**  **electi on**  **to authorize**  **the sale**  **of bonds**  **for the**  **construction of** **such a**  **facility, it**  **is appropriate**  **to look**  **to the**  **purposes for**  **\vhich a**  **school district**  **may issue**  **its general**  **obligation bonds.**  **Minn. Stat.**  **§ 475.52,**  **subd. 5**  **(1996 )**  **provides that: For**  **capital improvements**  **any school**  **district may**  **issue bonds**  **for the**  **acquisition or**  **betterment of** **school facilities. includjn� gvm** **n asiums.**  **a t**  **hl e**  **tic fi** **e lds.** **st a**  **dia. teacherages.**  **school ga** **rages. school**  **buses. a**  **n d**  **all other**  **facilities for**  **administration. academic**  **instruction. and**  **phvsical and**  **vocational l!duca** **t io** **n .**  **( Emphasis**  **added.) The**  **inclusion of** **the ice**  **arena. soccer**  **fi eld.**  **and swimming**  **pool in**  **the proposal** 

**are certainly**  **facilities of** **the types**  **ident ified**  **in the**  **-!mphasized language**  **uf subdi** **v ision**  **S. Messrse** **Roszak and**  **Squirese .**  **Page 12** 
**All of** **the examples**  **identified in**  **subdivision 5.**  **including the**  **athletic buildings.**  **fall under**  **the general**  **term, "school**  **facilities." Since**  **the School**  **District may**  **pursue the**  **comm unity**  **recreational facility**  **with others** **.e including**  **other governmental**  **units, it**  **is also**  **appropriate to**  **examine Minn.**  **Stat. §**  **471.19 (1996).**  **That provision**  **provides that:**  

### The **facilities of** **any s** **c hool** **district,**

### operating**a recreational** 

### PCOID"aro **pursuant to**  **the provisions**  **of Sections**  **471.15 to**  **471.19** 

### shall**be u**  **s e** 

**d**

### primarily **for the**  **purpose**

### of**conductio2** 

### the **re�dar**

### school **curricu l** **um**

### and**rela t** **ed**

### activities **and the**  **use of** **s choo** **l** 

### facilities **for recreational**  **purposes authorized**  **by those**  **sections shall**  **be secondary.**  **(Emphasis added.)**  **The proposal described**  **in your**  **letter seems**  **to be**  **intended to**  **comply v.ith**  **the use**  **requirements of**  **section 471.19.**  **The language**  **of that**  **section requires**  **that such**  **facilities must**  **be used**  **primarily for**  **conducting "the**  **regular school**  **curriculum and**  **related activities:'**  **i.e., "educational"**  **purposes and**  **also recognizes**  **t hat**  **such ·•school**  **facilities" can**  **be used**  **for recreational**  **purposes. Finally, and**  **significantly, while**  **section 121.15.**  **subd. 6.**  **requiring a**  **review and**  **comment prior**  **to a**  **bond election,**  **uses the**  **term '"educational**  **facility:• the**  **provisions of** **section 121.1-48,**  **detailing the**  **review and**  **comment process,**  **us-� the**  **term '"school**  **facility."' See**  **::vtinne Stat.**  **. §**  **121.148, subds.**  **l and**  **3. Thus.**  **there does**  **not appear**  **to be**  **an intended**  **difference in**  **the use**  **ofe the**  **two terms.**  **In light**  **of the**  **foregoing. \ve**  **conclude that**  **th� Ll!gislature** **· s use**  

## or**�he term**  **· 'educational** 

**. facility**  **. in**  **sl!ction 121.** **l 5.**  **subd. 6**  **whik using**  **th� term**  **--schooi foci** **lity ..**  **,)[ ·· school**  **facilities·· ine**  **related statutes**  **is not**  **legally significant. It**  **is. therefore.**  **our opinion that**  **:i ;Jroposed**  **constr..iction**

### \11essrs. **Roszak and**  **Squires Page**  **13 multi-purpose**  **community recreational**  **facility by**  **the School**  **District is**  **subject to**  **the review**  **and comment provisions**  **of sections**  **l 21.148**  **and 121.**  **15.**

**Very truly**  **yours. HUBERT**  **H. HUMPHREY**  **III Attorney**  **General**

**CHARLES T.**  **MOTIL Assistant Attorney**  **Gl!:1.eral**