WEST FARGO (KFGO) – West Fargo School District voters approved one of three parts from a massive school bond referendum.
Voters approved the first of three questions. All three needed 60% of the vote to pass.
The first question passed with 65.5% of the vote. Voters approved nearly $100 million for projects to be completed within the next five years, including the completion of Heritage Middle School and Horace High School. The money will also be used for renovations to South Elementary, building an inclusive playground at the Early Childhood Center, and adding multipurpose rooms to West Fargo High and Horace High.
The second question failed, garnering 59.1% of the votes. It included $58 million in projects to be completed in the next six to ten years. Those included a new elementary school, elementary renovations, and purchasing land.
Voters resoundingly rejected the third question. It asked for $5 million to add another ice sheet to the Veterans Memorial Arena. It garnered only 43.2% of the vote.
The passage of each question was contingent on the passage of the question before it.
For each $100,000 of a home’s value, a taxpayer would would pay an additional $7.29 per month if all three questions had passed. An immediate cost estimate for what voters approved was not available.
The district will now begin working with contractors to start the approved work.
A similar, $147 million referendum was defeated in 2023.
If all three questions had failed, school boundaries would have been redrawn. The school district would also considered other ways to alleviate overcrowding, including year-round classes, renting additional space, or offering hybrid classes.
The numbers each time will tell you voters don’t want extra ice rinks attached to school revenue requests.