September 26, 2023 Bond Referendum

  • In February 2022, the Board approved the establishment of a Long-Range Facilities Planning Taskforce, charged with examining the district’s facility needs over the next five to ten years. Individuals interested in serving were asked to apply, and people were selected to ensure representation of a wide variety of perspectives. Membership included parents, learners, elected officials, community members, and educators. District administrators served as non-voting resources on the Taskforce.    

    Monthly meetings began in September 2022 and continued through March 2023. Meetings were broken up into themes, based on the topics submitted by Taskforce applicants and identified by the administration as being important given the district’s projected growth. At the final meeting, Taskforce members were asked to affirm their support of all topics brought forth; any project receiving less than 80% support was dropped from the list of recommended projects for the Board’s consideration.   

    The Taskforce's final recommendation to the Board included $133.4 million in projects. After the conclusion of the LRFP taskforce, the district’s architects recommended the addition of a 10% inflationary contingency, due to the ongoing rising costs of construction and materials.  This equates to a maximum of $147 million that the district will be requesting the authority to spend up to. The district will not spend any more to complete these projects than was recommended by the Taskforce and approved by the Board.  

    The $147 million bond referendum package includes a new elementary school, the expansion of Heritage Middle School, the expansion of Horace High School, the expansion of Early Childhood Special Education services, the acquisition of land, districtwide renovations and expansions, the renovation and expansion of South Elementary School, safety and security upgrades, and ice. The culmination of these nine projects will address the following challenges that the district and community are continuing to face:

    Increasing Enrollment

    Each year, West Fargo Public Schools gains an additional 400-600 new learners. This trend has been occurring for nearly the last decade and is expected to continue through 2026, at which time it "slows" to roughly 300 new learners per year. At both the elementary and middle school levels, the district is expected to be beyond capacity by 2027. The district is anticipated to exceed its high school capacity in 2026. 

    Equal Opportunity Measures

    It is a priority of the School Board and administration that existing district facilities are maintained and renovated to the same standard as our newest facilities.

    Learner and Staff Safety

    As the district has constructed new facilities, or renovated older buildings, we have made it a priority to meet a more stringent standard of safety in regard to how our buildings function. While significant work has been done in this area, there is always work to be done to meet that higher standard of safety and security.

    Where to Vote:

    • Harwood Community Center - 210 Freedland Dr, Harwood, ND 58042
    • Westside Elementary School - 945 7th Ave W, West Fargo, ND 58078  
    • Lutheran Church of the Cross - 1402 16th St E, West Fargo, ND 58078
    • Horace Lutheran Church - 650 1st St E, Horace, ND 58047
    • Rustad Recreation Center - 601 26th Ave E, West Fargo, ND 58078
    • Triumph West Church - 3745 Sheyenne St, West Fargo, ND 58078 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Has the district even finished everything they requested through the 2018 referendum?

    Posted by West Fargo Public Schools on 6/8/2023 7:00:00 AM

    The $106.9 million bond referendum package passed by voters in 2018 included a new high school, new middle school, art and gifted/talented classrooms, security upgrades, an addition and renovation at Harwood Elementary, an addition at Horace Elementary, and turf at all three high schools. All seven of these projects have been completed. 

    Comments (-1)

  • When would each of these new projects be completed?

    Posted by West Fargo Public Schools on 6/8/2023 7:00:00 AM

    With the current state of the construction industry, the district acknowledges that we will be unable to build all these projects at the same time. Projects will be prioritized based on the highest need combined with the availability of necessary contractors and receipt of competitive bids.   

    The construction of a school facility is currently taking two years based on workforce shortages and supply chain issues.  

    Comments (-1)

  • How will you communicate with taxpayers who do not have children in the district?

    Posted by West Fargo Public Schools on 6/8/2023 7:00:00 AM

    The district has a full bond communication plan in place through election day. As part of that communication plan, we will be communicating with district families through district and/or school publications and at district and/or school events. The district is a committed user of social media – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn – all of which will continue to highlight information related to the bond package and the special election for all stakeholders and eligible voters. District administrators have committed to delivering informational presentations and sessions to PTOs, PTAs, booster clubs, and other community groups. West Public Schools will also hold two community open forums related to the bond referendum this fall. Both events will be open to the public and will include a short presentation and a question/answer session. Additional details to follow on these open forums once dates have been set.

    Comments (-1)

  • Will WFPS always be building new schools and going out for bond? Will the growth ever stop?

    Posted by West Fargo Public Schools on 6/8/2023 7:00:00 AM

    The district receives enrollment projections for a five-year period. According to the most recent report, our enrollment will continue to grow through at least 2028, with a total enrollment estimated to be near 14,800.

    Comments (-1)

  • Will taxpayers have a chance to see how these projects will look?

    Posted by West Fargo Public Schools on 6/8/2023 7:00:00 AM

    Yes, we already have the site plans for the expansions at Heritage MS and Horace HS, as well as preliminary plans for the renovation and expansion of South Elementary. Once a decision is made by taxpayers in September and as the construction process continues, the district will receive site plans, building plans, and aesthetic plans for all projects, which will in turn be shared with stakeholders in district publications, on our website, and on social media.  

    Comments (-1)

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Questions?

  • Please email info@west-fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions you have regarding the upcoming bond referendum. Your question will be answered via email, but you may also see it added to this FAQ!