The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
This architectural rendering by Zerr Berg Architects shows a planned $5.1 million school improvement project for Pingree-Buchanan Elementary School in Buchanan, which would include renovations and repairs to the present school building. The original 1908 Buchanan school building (current annex) is at top, and the district does not consider repairs to that structure, which would amount to around $1.5 million in total cost, as feasible.
Supporters of a facilities improvement project at Pingree-Buchanan Elementary School hope that the phrase "the third time's the charm" will come to pass and help ensure the future viability of the facility for P-B students.
For the third time, residents within the district will go to the polls to make their voices heard on a proposed $5.165 million bond referendum to mainly benefit the elementary school complex in Buchanan.
The election will be held Wednesday, March 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at P-B Elementary at 208 3rd Ave.
When the project was initially put up for voters' consideration in November 2022, the cost was $4.5 million, but the price tag has since increased by around $600,000, owing to inflation and increased prices for building materials and repair work.
Superintendent Amber Krapp says the project cost has not changed from the December 6, 2023 bond referendum, the second time an election on the issue was held.
The 2022 vote was 52% no (81 voters) to 48% yes (75), while the results from December 6 represented a flip to majority support and a higher voter turnout at 56% yes (133) to 44% no (104).
In order to pass, the referendum must be approved by a 60% supermajority, and Krapp and district leaders hope that momentum is on their side to get this issue resolved.
With passage of the bond referendum, the district would be able to do the following building improvements:
• Additional classroom space
• New front entrance with enhanced security features
• A new library/media center and music room
• Upgrades to the student commons area
• Parking lot renovations for a separate bus loop, staff parking, and parent drop-off area, and
• Capital maintenance repairs
The plan as presented addresses additional areas of concern, such as the purchase and installation of new windows for the existing elementary building and ice dam/roof edge repair at the high school in Pingree, which would amount to about $100,000 of the total project.
Passage of the referendum would also allow the district to move on from their aging 1908 annex building, for which repair costs would run around $1.5 million and the district does not consider a viable solution.
P-B is asking to raise an additional 37.88 mills for the project, which amounts to $37.88 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation for the first taxable year after all bonds have been issued.
For example, the owner of a residential house assessed for the true and full value of $100,000 would pay $170.44 more in taxes for the term of the bond.
According to the election notice posted at http://www.pingree-buchanan-k12.nd.us and dated January 10, the assessed valuation of all taxable property within the school district for the 2023 tax year, as defined by Section 21-03-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, is $103,235,988. The district currently does not have bond debts.
The school website includes a page dedicated to the project, including a tax calculator which will allow district residents to see the tax impact of the proposed bond.
Those who wish to vote via absentee ballot can do so via a link on the page at https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3171/PBPS/3883892/Absentee_Ballot_Request.pdf
Questions can also be answered by contacting Krapp at [email protected] or by phone at 701-252-5563, or Elementary Principal Terrie Neys at [email protected] or 701-252-4653.
