At Aitkin Public Schools, our mission is to prepare students with the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. Our teachers and staff work hard to prepare students for life after graduation. However, serious health, safety, and infrastructure problems in our school facilities make it hard for students and staff to do their best work. 

After assessing our facilities and hearing from experts and the community, it’s clear that our biggest need is a new elementary school building. Rippleside Elementary has served the community for nearly 70 years, and many of its problems are beyond affordable repairs. That’s why the Aitkin School Board is proposing a plan to build a new PreK-6 school, a bus transportation center, and a community wellness and recreation center attached to the new school.