The historic Handke Center, located on Main Street in Elk River is home to the following ISD 728 programs: Community Education, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and Early Childhood Screening.  In addition, Reach-Up Head Start operates its Elk River site from the Handke Center.

            Built in 1930, the Handke Center is ISD 728’s oldest facility, and is now in it’s 79th year of continuous operation serving the public.  It served as the District’s only high school from 1930 to 1961, then as a junior high school, and later still as Handke Elementary and the Handke Magnet (elementary school).  It has housed the current array of programs since 2001.   A portion of the main floor of the 1930 building was remodeled and restored to its original 1930 luster during 2005-06, with a grand opening celebration in September 2006.