GF school election in June still a go

The June referendum election in Grand Forks will move forward as planned.  School board members discussed the possibility of taking a pause at last night’s (Monday) meeting in order to allow more time to discuss the need for a ten mill building fund levy and $86 million dollar bond “ask” of voters.

Superintendent Terry Brenner says a lack of clarity over how future federal ESSER funds can be used has been a concern.  “That’s part of what is distracting from our story is because we are not able to say we are going to set aside $18 million or $22 million not knowing for sure if we can do that.”

Other board member say the general public needs a chance to weigh in on the district’s needs.   Board member Doug Carpenter says delaying the vote only pushes the inevitable down the road.  “Delaying won’t accomplish what we think it might.”

The board also received a report from a K-8 Planning Committee that has been looking at potential features should three elementary schools merge into a campus with Valley Middle School.