2025 Bond Referendum
Determination of Projects
Following the defeat of the $147 million referendum vote in 2023, district administration engaged members of the community in ‘Facilities Planning 2.0,’ a taskforce open to any community member that reviewed the failed package, solicited and analyzed feedback from stakeholders, discussed alternatives to address the district’s rapid growth in both the short- and long-term, and provided multiple data sets to the School Board for their review and consideration.
Using the data collected through community open houses and staff presentations, the Board engaged in extensive conversation at their fall workshop before coming to consensus on 13 projects to be included in the upcoming referendum package.
These projects will address growth, consistency, and future planning needs for the district.
- Growth: West Fargo Public Schools is projected to see 14,255 learners for the 2028-29 school year, which is an increase of 1,049 from this year's starting enrollment. The vast majority of that growth is expected at the secondary level, which equates to a 14% increase in our enrollment in grades 6-12.
- Consistency: With facilities ranging in age from 84 (Lodoen Community Center) to 1 (Meadowlark Elementary School), ensuring learners have an equitable experience regardless of which school they attend is a priority of the Board and leadership.
- Future Planning: Staying on top of our projections and the anticipated outcomes from the completed FM Diversion will allow the district to be adequately positioned before a space and land crunch becomes reality.
Voting on February 17
The special election will take place on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 7:00AM - 7:00PM. All residents of West Fargo Public Schools are eligible to vote. School district boundary lines do not always follow city boundary lines; the West Fargo School District is comprised of the cities of Harwood, Horace, Reile’s Acres, West Fargo, and portions of the city of Fargo.
A resident may vote at any of the 14 polling locations available within the district: Harwood Elementary, Westside Elementary, South Elementary, West Fargo High School, Cheney Middle School, Brooks Harbor Elementary, Aurora Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Sheyenne High School, Independence Elementary, Legacy Elementary, Deer Creek Elementary, Horace High School, and Horace Elementary.
Voters must bring proof of birth date and residency with them to the polls; this may include a North Dakota driver’s license or ID card, an ID issued by a tribal government, ID issued by the Secretary of State, or a combination of these options.
Notice of Special Bond Election
Absentee Voting
To vote absentee in this election you may request a ballot online, in person at the County Auditor's office, or by completing and returning the absentee/mail ballot application.
Please note that absentee ballot applications are only good for the calendar year. If you applied for an absentee ballot in 2024 you need to submit another application in 2025 to vote absentee in our February election.
Learn more about elections and absentee voting in Cass County.
Ballot Language
Unlike previous special elections, the 2025 ballot will have three questions.
Question 1 will include $99.7 million in projects needed within the next 1-5 years. The projects included in Question 1 are the completion of Heritage MS, completion of Horace HS, adding multipurpose rooms at West Fargo HS and Horace HS, building an inclusive playground at the Early Childhood Center, special education improvements, adding classroom space for early childhood special education programming, the renovation and expansion of South Elementary School, safety and security upgrades, and restroom renovations.
Question 2 includes an additional $58 million in projects that are anticipated to be needed in 6-10 years. The projects included in Question 2 are the elementary renovations, a new elementary school, acquisition of land, and a second expansion of space for early childhood special education programming.
Question 3 would authorize the district to be a collaborative partner with the West Fargo Park District and the West Fargo Youth Hockey Association to expand the Veterans Memorial Arena. Question 3 is an additional $5 million.
This allows each stakeholder to vote based on what they value more - a lower price tag with the understanding that another election will occur in roughly five years, or a higher price tag that should alleviate the need for the district to hold another election in the near future. It is important to note that the passage of each question is contingent on passage of the question(s) before it. For example, if Question 2 is the only question that receives majority approval to pass, nothing will move forward since Question 1 failed.
Financial Impact
For each $100,000 of a home’s value, a taxpayer would pay an additional $7.29 per month if all three questions passed.
The median home value in West Fargo is $320,000. If all three questions passed, the estimated tax impact would be about $0.75 per day.
Would you like to determine the tax impact based on your property? Use our tax calculator!
Contact Us
If you have questions that are not addressed in the information included on this webpage, please complete the form below. A member of our administrative team will get back to you AND we'll add your question to our FAQ for all to learn from!
If you are part of a school-related, civic, faith-based, or social group that is interested in having a representative of West Fargo Public Schools speak to your group about the 2025 Bond Referendum, please fill out the form below. A member of our administrative team will contact you to set something up!
Required