GF schools to launch referendum tax calculator

The Grand Forks School District plans to upload a tax calculator to its website to give property owners a real time look at how the June referendum will impact their tax bill.  The referendum will include two questions:  an 86 million dollar bond issue and a request to increase the school building fund by ten mills.  The bulk of the bond money will go towards consolidating three elementary schools into a new K-8 campus with Valley Middle School.

Superintendent Terry Brenner says there’s plenty of green space for the construction.  “We would keep students and staff at present schools until that building is completed…raze the old Valley…and flip-flop the fields.”

According to the district a successful bond issue will cost the owners of a $100,000 dollar home $7.99 cents a month while the ten mill bump adds $3.75 cents to the bottom line.

The election is scheduled for June 22nd.