JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Voters will be asked to decide on a $34 million referendum during a special election later this year.

The extensive referendum has been put together by a Citizens Advisory Committee over an 18-month period. The consensus of the group found a multitude of infrastructure improvements and more were pieced together to create the referendum.

Board member Robert Toso pointed out that it may be difficult to pass this referendum as it’s more than the $19 million referendum that came before Jamestown residents a few years ago.

Toso says there are those that want to see football field to stay where it is, but the referendum would close Washington Elementary as well as move the football field.

Board member Diane Hanson says there have been issues with the referendum from multiple people on different things ranging from the Transition House to the football field.

Superintendent Robert Lech stated that some of the things inside the proposal could be considered polarizing and it would be up to the school district to give out the right information for the voters to make an informed choice at the polls.

Not all constituents are as torn with the referendum as others. Board member Jennifer Schmidt stated that many of her contacts were very excited to have the potential to teach, learn, and use state-of-the-art facilities.

Another part discussed by the school board was creating a share agreement with the University of Jamestown to use the same field for football. Lech pointed out that there have been conversations of that, but those conversations have been going on for quite some time.

The main concern of the entire board was being sure the referendum put out had the best chance of succeeding. Toso pointed out that he wanted residents to vote not on one item in the proposal, but rather to look at the proposals entirety and its benefits to the schools.

The referendum passed unanimously on a 9-0 vote. A special vote will be held September 25th for the public to decide on the referendum to improve Jamestown’s schools.

Those with questions on the project are encouraged to call the Jamestown Public School District or send an email to Lech at Robert.Lech@k12.nd.us.