Bond November 2026

A Revised Plan for Bismarck Public Schools

On November 3, 2026, Bismarck voters will consider a $116.5 million bond referendum to address significant facility needs across Bismarck Public Schools.

The revised proposal is approximately $10.5 million less than the measure considered in June. It focuses on essential improvements that will strengthen safety, improve learning environments, expand opportunities for students, and protect the community’s investment in its schools.

The proposed work would affect schools throughout the district and is organized around four priorities:

• Keep Students Safe
• Create Better Learning Spaces
• Expand Student Opportunities
• Preserve Our Investment

These projects were identified through a multi-year facilities-planning process that included professional assessments of district buildings, enrollment and demographic analysis, community feedback, and public discussion.

Why These Improvements Are Needed

When planning for the future of the district, it is helpful to keep in mind the following facts:

• Our Oldest Building - Bismarck High School (92 yrs old)
• Our Newest Building - Silver Ranch Career Academy (<1 yrs old)
• Average School Age - 47 yrs old
• 32 Campuses/Buildings
• Over 3 million square feet of floor space
• Over 2 million square feet of roofs
• ~900,000 square feet of sidewalks and over 3 million square feet of parking lots
• Over 2000 sinks and 1500 toilets
• Over 400 acres of land

The long-range facilities planning process identified necessary projects at 25 different BPS sites.

The district invests approximately $5 million annually in facility maintenance. However, major building systems and facility improvements cannot all be completed through the regular operating budget or Building Fund without significantly extending the timeline.

The long-range facilities review identified needs that include:

• Aging roofs, boilers, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems
• Buildings and educational spaces that do not meet current accessibility standards
• Secure entrances and other student-safety improvements
• Outdated classrooms, libraries, music rooms, multipurpose spaces, and student-support areas
• Inconsistent educational opportunities and facility conditions across the district

Without additional voter-approved funding, completing the identified work would take decades. During that time, construction costs would continue to rise and additional building needs would emerge.

Four Priorities for BPS Schools

Keep Students Safe

The proposal includes secure entrances, improved traffic and student drop-off areas, accessibility upgrades, and spaces that better support students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Create Better Learning Spaces

The proposal would update classrooms, libraries, music rooms, multipurpose areas, and other instructional spaces so students and educators have environments that better support today’s teaching and learning.

Expand Student Opportunities

Projects would improve spaces for fine arts, physical education, specialized learning, and student-support programs. The goal is to provide students with stronger and more equitable opportunities regardless of which BPS school they attend.

Preserve Our Investment

The proposal would replace aging roofs, boilers, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and other essential building systems. Addressing these needs protects facilities the community has already built and helps avoid more costly emergency repairs.

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Work Already Moving Forward

Following the June election, the School Board reviewed which high-priority projects could be completed through the district’s existing five-year Building Fund plan.

The Board has committed existing district resources to:

• Full project at Will-Moore Elementary School
• Full project at Pioneer Elementary School
• Boiler and chiller replacement at Bismarck High School

These projects are not included in the revised $116.5 million bond proposal. Removing them from the bond reduced the amount being requested from taxpayers while allowing important work to move forward.

The district will complete these projects within the limitations of its Building Fund and the state’s 3% property-tax growth cap. Using the Building Fund for this work also means fewer resources will be available for other facility needs during the five-year period.

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How the Proposal Was Developed

Long-Range Facilities Planning

BPS worked with professional architectural and engineering firms to assess its facilities. The district also gathered feedback through surveys, meetings, and other community-engagement opportunities.

The review identified building-system, accessibility, safety, instructional, and program needs throughout the district.

June 2026 Referendum

On June 9, voters considered a $127 million bond proposal. The measure received:

• 9,194 yes votes
• 58.68% voter approval
• A clear majority of votes cast

North Dakota law requires 60% approval for a school bond, so the measure fell approximately 1.32 percentage points short of the required threshold.

The Board believed the nearly 59% support demonstrated that the community supported the overall direction of the plan. Because the facility needs remained, the district reviewed the proposal and identified ways to reduce the amount requested.

November 2026 Referendum

On August 10, 2026, the Bismarck School Board approved a revised $116.5 million proposal for the November 3 general-election ballot.

The revised proposal is approximately $10.5 million less than the June proposal. It removes projects that will be addressed through the district’s five-year Building Fund plan while retaining priority work across BPS schools.

The projects will help provide facilities that reflect community values, encourage shared use, and serve as points of pride for students, families, and residents.