Special school election Jan. 25

Posted November 13, 2024

It's official. The Carrington School District will ask voters a second time for approval to increase the school's building fund levy from 5 to 10 mills.

There's just one question on the ballot, and on January 25, 2025, polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for voters to make their choice.

The school board previously approved the special election in October, pending the failure of Measure 4. However, the matter came up again at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, due to timing. The school district had to push the election back to allow 40 days for the distribution and return of absentee ballots. State law requires the 40-day window to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

More information about the special election, including the school district's case for increasing the levy, will be released in the coming weeks.

Property tax relief is on the mind of both citizens and state leaders in the wake of Measure 4.

School board members reported that several property tax relief measures are being considered by the N.D. legislature. One particular proposal with a "great deal of support" from legislators would use earnings from the Legacy Fund to replace 60 mills of property tax levied by each school district. The total impact on the state's budget is $350 million per year. School board members were told at the recent ND School Board Association (NDSBA) Conference that the matter is expected to come up in the 2025 session.

Another proposal would take dollars from the common schools trust fund for school building construction and repair. There are 343 school buildings in the state and the average age is 55 years, according to data obtained by school board president Joel Lemer. The common schools trust fund has nearly $7 billion, and currently $2,100 per student in foundation aid to school districts comes from that fund each year. The fund has grown from $400 million in 1997, making it a huge well for school funding priorities.

The school board's other major action item besides the special election was the superintendent evaluation. Board members each filled out an evaluation individually, and Superintendent Janelle Helm also submitted a self evaluation.

Helm received satisfactory scores in all seven categories, with her area of highest strength continuing to be public relations. The area of greatest growth for Helm was grasping the financial aspect of her job, of which both she and board members made note.

Led by president Joel Lemer, board members identified a few professional goals for Helm in the coming year. First, she is to stay on top of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). She will attend a National AI Summit in early February, and the focus is on using AI to facilitate learning.

Lemer also identified the need to update district policies as a goal. The board will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25 to review several of the policies required by the N.D. Department of Public Instruction that are in need of updates.

The pursuit of establishing a Career Technology Education (CTE) center in Carrington was also highlighted. Leadership transitions at neighboring school districts has delayed progress, per Lemer, although the need is there.

Board member Angela Kutz said she also wants to see Helm prioritize the school's maintenance plan to make sure all facilities stay in good repair.

Nov. 18-22 is American Education Week, and Carrington School will host the annual Pastries for Parents event for Title I on November 21 in conjunction with the week's activities. Gov. Burgum declared Nov. 21 as N.D. Family Engagement Day.

Carrington Public School will host an Internet Safety Presentation for parents and adults, which is open to the public. The evening event will begin with a meal at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, with the presentation to follow at 6 p.m. Child care is available that evening. Families in need of child care are required to RSVP by Nov. 22. For more information, see the ad on the front page of this week's PLUS section.

The next regular board meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.