OAKES, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The Oakes School Board approved a plan to propose a $14.84 million bond referendum to voters to invest in essential repairs and critical infrastructure updates to the district’s 100-year-old school building. The election will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
The decision to seek voter approval on an investment plan followed a comprehensive planning and assessment process that revealed significant facility needs. This process included a demographics analysis, educational adequacy assessment, and facility assessment conducted by third-party experts. The district also sought input from the community through two community-wide surveys, the formation of a community action committee, and listening sessions with residents, staff, and students.
“The plan we are proposing is rooted in the feedback we received from the Oakes community,” said School Board President Sonia Meehl. “With this input, we proposed a plan focused on our school’s most critical needs. It reflects the top concerns of residents and would ensure our school is equipped to serve students into the next century.”
The proposed plan includes:
- replacing outdated and broken heating, ventilation and air conditioning, indoor air quality, and window systems that are not fully functioning and fail to meet current air quality standards.
- providing new ADA-compliant restrooms on the second and third floors of the high school,
- updating deteriorating infrastructure, electrical systems, food storage, appliances, and plumbing in the kitchen, and
- repairing and upgrading underground sewer pipes.
If voters approve the referendum, a home in the district valued at $100,000 would see a tax increase of $19.22 per month, and agricultural land valued at $914 per acre would see a tax increase of $2.34 per acre per year, starting in 2025.
If the referendum is successful, Oakes Public Schools would apply for a State School Construction Loan at a 2% interest rate. The process to obtain these funds is competitive, with a deadline of March 31, 2024. If funds are awarded to the district at a lower interest rate, it would lower the overall cost of the investment plan – resulting in tax savings.
“We have worked hard to maintain our 100-year-old building, but these critical needs go far beyond what can be addressed through regular maintenance and repairs,” said Oakes Public School Superintendent Anna Sell. “We have reached the point where additional investments are needed to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment for our students and staff.”
Sell said the district is committed to providing residents with the information they need to make an informed vote on this important community decision for the future of Oakes Public School. The district is in the process of updating its website, OurSchoolOurFuture.org, with more information on the plan, cost and tax impact, voting information and other resources.
For more information, contact Superintendent Anna Sell at Anna.Sell@k12.nd.us or 701-742-3204.