WEST FARGO - A proposed $82.5 million school bond issue drew sharp questions Wednesday at the first of two public informational meetings scheduled before a May 24 vote.
School district staff and school board members fielded questions on tax impacts, demographics, and whether the district can afford to staff and run four more schools.
And despite the light turnout - perhaps 65 to 70 members of the general public turned out - district officials also heard some of the stiffest opposition, and staunchest support, of the plans to date.
"My biggest thing that keeps me from voting 'yes' is the wording of the bond issue," said Barry Miller, who said he believes district planners will build two elementary schools right away.
"I don't trust the politicians. I don't trust the bureaucrats," Miller said.
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Peter Karl said he'd rather see alternatives such as bigger class sizes, portable classrooms and renting space in town tried before new schools are built.
"I'm not going to be voting for it," Karl said.
Ted and Linda Nilles were among the vocal supporters of the plan.
"We came here with the idea that we would vote for it. ... You can't always look in the rearview mirror," Ted Nilles said.
"We've been here since 1968. Somebody put our kids through school. We're retired. We don't want our taxes going up. But we don't want our kids to go to Fargo," Linda Nilles added. "You've got to trust the people who have given you the facts."
Others are undecided.
"I know they need the space, and it's just a matter of time before they run out," Tim Poppenhagen said. But he said he worries about his budget, too.
If approved, the bonds would build a 1,200-student middle school; expand Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center into a 1,500-student high school; build a 550-student elementary school immediately south of Interstate 94, and a second 550-student elementary as needed; and create a ninth-grade wing at the current high school.
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The bond issue would add 27.5 mills to the property tax levy. That would add $123.75 per year to the tax bill of a $100,000 home for 20 years, officials said.
There are about 7,200 students in the district today, officials said. That will rise to roughly 9,040 by 2015-16, according to demographers, they said.
"The board and the administration want to be as transparent as possible," Superintendent David Flowers said. "The most important thing we have to get across is the children are coming."
A second public meeting is scheduled 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 19 in the commons of Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center, 800 40th Ave. E.
Two previous bond votes have failed.
The City Commission and the teachers union both support the bond plan.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
