By Voters in the Ellendale School District approved a $5.355 million expansion project in a bond election on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
According to Superintendent Chip Sundberg, 223 votes were cast in favor of the bond, while 89 votes were cast against it.
That’s approval from 71.47% of the voters.
According to information distributed by the school district, the project includes:
- An expansion to the fitness and learning center, which would include added community accessibility.
- An expansion of the school’s wrestling practice facility.
- A locker room that meets accessibility requirements.
- A campus-wide fire suppression system.
- An integrated campus intercom system.
- Possible parking enhancements.
The bond issue will be for 20 years.
The effect on local property taxes varies depending on property classification.
According to a tax impact estimator on the district’s website, a $100,000 home would see an estimated increase in property taxes of $65.52 a year, while a $100,000 commercial or agricultural piece of property could see an increase of $72.80 a year.
The North Dakota school district has an existing bond payment that was taken out in 2010. That is set to be satisfied in June. A projected increase in the district’s tax base is also expected to support the new project.