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VI RGI N IA, Mi n n. (Northern News Now) - Students in northeastern Minnesota will soon have a new place to learn now that the Northland Learning Center has received funding for a new building.
The Northland Learning Center offers special education and related programming for 1,500 students on the Iron Range.
The $17 million in funding for the building is coming from the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) with contributions from each member district.
The building is still in the design process but as of now, it is expected to be a 32,000 sq ft one-level building that includes separate wings for elementary, middle school and high school, and their Bridge Independent Program which helps young adults (ages 18-22).
Programs also include Early Childhood Special Education and related services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and Developmental- Adapted Physical Education.
They also provide services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Blind and Visually Impaired.
All of these resources are currently being serviced in the James Madison Elementary School building that’s 98 years old and doesn’t have drinkable water due to old lead pipes.
Leaders with the school say this makes it difficult for their students to feel fulfilled and ready to learn.
“That overall sense of pride or just a sense of belonging and knowing that the community and the school cares about you when you have things like drinking water or you notice chunks of the wall aren’t falling off,” said Dean of Students Jeff Zupetz.
The Executive Director of Northland Learning Center, Jackie Ward, has been advocating for the new building that will serve students in the nine participating districts.
“Some of our smaller districts just can’t afford or find special education. By having a co-op we share all those services,” said Ward. “We do serve some of the most at-risk students and they deserve to have a beautiful site with new facilities. All the perks of a public school.”
Groundbreaking on the new building, which will be just south of Mountain Iron City Hall, is expected in May with hopes of welcoming students at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
Zupetz hopes the new building will help the students feel they are in a top learning environment.
“Half the challenge sometimes is when we get students from different areas they might feel like they’re on their last step or they haven’t had success where they’ve been before but when they come here they can start fresh,” said Zupetz.
Current participating districts: • Chisholm ISD 695
• Cook County ISD 166
• Ely ISD 696
• International Falls ISD 361
• Mesabi East ISD 2711
• Mt. Iron / Buhl ISD 712
• Nett Lake ISD 707
• Northland Learning Center ISD 6076
• Rock Ridge ISD 2909
• St. Louis County Schools ISD 2142
