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Upcoming West Fargo Public Schools Bond Referendum

Dear WFEA Members,

West Fargo is growing at an unprecedented rate. Our student enrollment is growing by leaps and bounds every year (500-600 students each year for the next decade), and we are facing some very severe restrictions on how we can house and educate the increasing number of students coming through our doors.

As you may already know, a referendum will go up for a public vote this Nov. 17, to approve a bond package that will address several identified needs within our schools, including:

At the elementary level:

· Begin transitioning kindergarten students to neighborhood elementary schools

· Build three-section elementary school south of  I-94 in Brooks Harbor

· Build three-section elementary school north of  I-94

· Renovate L.E. Berger Elementary School’s roof and pie-shaped classrooms and add classrooms

· Convert Osgood Kindergarten to a K-5 elementary school

· Addition to Horace Elementary

At the secondary level:

· Create additional classrooms, multipurpose spaces, and an auxiliary gym at West Fargo High School

· Build additional  music space at Cheney Middle School

· Renovate current spaces at Lodoen Community Center

Community and District Amenities:

· Swimming pool and community center at L.E. Berger Elementary

· Hockey rink and indoor multipurpose space

Infrastructure and Efficiencies

· New expandable central transportation facility

· Conversion of current transportation and maintenance complex for increased maintenance functions and the creation of a central kitchen and nutrition service warehouse

Equal Opportunity Measures

· Standardize and upgrade elementary playgrounds

· Upgrade WFHS sound systems

· Security measures

 

The total projected cost of the bond package will be $98.1 million. Though local taxpayers will be responsible for the cost of the projects, the school district says that they can fund all $98.1 million without an increase in the mill levy or tax rate.  Without the projects, the levy/rate would be going down, so if we just continue the same level of taxes, we can afford every project.  

It’s important for each of us to be informed about this ballot measure, so that we can properly inform the community members who may ask us for our opinion. Please visit https://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us to learn more about the plan.

The members of the West Fargo Education Association are being asked to support this referendum, at the ballot box and ahead of the vote through advocacy efforts. This bond package is especially important to our association and to all our members because:

·       We want to support our colleagues and the continued funding of their projects in the school system. By supporting this bond package, we are adding another level of certainty to the continued operations of the programs we have in place currently, and protecting the livelihoods of those who teach in these programs.

·       As we continue to grow, we hope to increase our ability to respond to the growth in a proactive way that doesn’t force us to short-change our students’ growth and student learning.

·       This bond package will allow the school district to give art and music programs the classroom space that is desperately needed.

·       If this bond measure is rejected now, increasing the mill levy in the future will be increasingly difficult; compounded with continued growth.

Besides voting in support of this bond package on Nov. 17, how can you help to assure its passage? Here are a few suggestions:

·       Talk to your friends, families, neighbors and colleagues about the importance of passing this bond referendum. As a teacher or education support professional, at work for the West Fargo Public School District, our community looks to us for counsel on these matters. Parents and community members all want the same thing: a quality education for every student enrolled at our schools. They all look to us with respect and trust our guidance on how we can provide that quality educational experience to our kids.

·       Write letters to the editor to our local newspapers – The West Fargo Pioneer and The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead – in support of the bond measure. WFEA leadership will be sending out public comment in support of this measure, but your efforts are needed, too! If you would like assistance in writing your own letter, please let me know and we will help you.

·       Be vocal in your support of this measure on social media. That means sharing letters to the editor and other articles concerning the measure with your network, and sharing your personal opinions of support. Also, stay tuned, as we are currently planning a social media campaign, which will include a “Vote Yes!” graphic that will be shared and used as profile pictures on Facebook and Twitter.

·       If you have the time to give to knock on doors, please consider volunteering with the VOICE Committee to canvas neighborhoods across West Fargo.

As the campaign moves forward, there may be new and unexpected opportunities for us to achieve a favorable outcome. Please be prepared to help out in other ways as the campaign calls for.

Thank you,

Lisa K Dullum                                                                                               WFEA President