On November 3, Moorhead residents will be asked to vote on a $78.2 million bond referendum that would enable Moorhead Area Public Schools to keep up with the demands of steadily increasing enrollment numbers. In the past five years, nearly 1,300 housing units have been constructed in Moorhead, many of them by young families attracted to the city’s strong school system. Although that growth is commendable on many levels, it has led to a space issue that is reaching a critical level. “We are simply out of room,” explained Dr. Lynne A. Kovash, Superintendent of Moorhead Area Public Schools.

Enrollment growth in Moorhead has exceeded expectations. According to the Yes for Moorhead Schools Committee, schools have been operating over capacity since 2010. The committee, organized to advocate for the passage of the upcoming bond referendum, is co-chaired by Dani Wright and Cassidy Bjorklund. “Strong schools build a strong community,” the women said. “We recognize that an investment was made in our education and are now charged with creating the best possible learning environment we can offer our students.”

Increasing taxes is always a sensitive issue that is understandably met with resistance. Nobody likes to see more of their hard-earned money taken away. Residents that understand the precarious nature of Moorhead’s school space issue, however, will likely see the increased taxes as an investment in our children, and a relatively small one at that. According to the district’s website, the bond referendum would lead to an increase of approximately $9 per month on an average-priced home ($150,000). A $300,000 home would see an increase of $20 per month. “We consider this as an investment not only in Moorhead schools but in the healthy growth of the community,” Dani and Cassidy explained.

How Did the District Arrive at $78 Million?

As mentioned, the school is Moorhead reached capacity in 2010. During the 2010-11 school year, 5540 students were enrolled in the district. For 2015-16, that number rose to 6104. More importantly, enrollment is expected to top 7000 by 2019-20. According to school officials, there simply is not room for everyone. Because of those projections, the district put together a community-driven facilities task force, bringing together consultants, district employees, and, most importantly, community members in an extensive process to study the growth of the community and meet the demands of our over-crowding schools. The task force developed a 10-year Facilities Master Plan, leading the charge for the bond referendum.

What Will the Money Be Spent On?

If approved, the bond will provide for growth and learning by:

· Adding secure entries in all school buildings

· Creating adequate and appropriate learning environments for students from early childhood through grade 8

· Building a K-4 elementary

· Building a grades 5-6 school connected to Horizon Middle School to create a shared grades 5-8 campus reducing transitions for students

· Building an auditorium for school and community use at Horizon Middle School

· Returning Probstfield Center for Education to an early childhood and district education center focused on the needs of our youngest learners.

What if the Referendum Fails?

According to Dr. Kovash, if voters fail to pass the bond, classes across the district would see increased class sizes, some as large as 30 students. Schools would be forced to look into alternative classroom spaces. “Portables are expensive and not a good place for classrooms,” she said. “We would also be forced to use music and arts rooms, which would mean we couldn’t offer those classes.” The Yes for Moorhead committee echoed Kovash’s sentiments regarding class size and location. “We may see class sizes unmanageable for appropriate learning experiences,” they explained. “There will be less space dedicated for art, music, and early childhood programs.”

A vibrant school system typically leads to a healthy and strong community. A defeated referendum would not just affect those with children in the school system. “People may choose not to live here and that would impact our strong housing market,” Kovash remarked. “If it isn’t attractive to people to send their kids to school here, we may have a decrease in market value.”

The heart and soul of the issue, however, comes down to the quality of education we as a community demand for our children. Dr. Kovash believes in providing only the best for our young people, thereby affording them the opportunities that will lead to a successful future. “Moorhead schools are experiencing great success and growth. Our students are achieving, our graduation rates have increased, and the arts are a vibrant part of our school system,” she explained. “We don’t want to lose that. We have a strong tradition in Moorhead and we want that to continue.”

More information on the upcoming bond referendum can be found at https://www.moorheadschools.org/Referendum.

If you are interested in helping the Yes for Moorhead Schools Committee, you can find them on Facebook (Yes for Moorhead Schools) or Twitter (@yesmhdschools), where you can obtain information on yard signs, flyers, a place to donate, and various other ways you can support Moorhead Schools. If you have questions, you may contact the committee at yesformoorheadschools@gmail.com.