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N.D. – More than 100 people attending a meeting to discuss the direction of building a centralized school for the Barnes County North District after a vote to do so failed three times in a one year period.

Superintendent Doug Jacobson says a bonding attorney answered a number of questions concerning one option to form a building authority to build a new school. He says the difference with a building authority and a school bond measure is that taxes could not be raised beyond the state set limit.

A building authority could sell bonds to build a new school that it then would lease to the school district.

Jacobson says the school board will weigh this scenario before making a final decision.
A majority of the voters 57 percent favor a centralized school near Leal, but under state law a super majority of 60 percent is need to pass a school bond measure.

Supporters say a central school would better serve students and save money, while opponents question the cost of building new in light of declining enrollment.

If a new centralized school is constructed it would replace facilities north of Rogers, Wimbledon and at Spiritwood.