VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Voters will vote up or down on a $46 million dollar school referendum on Tuesday, June 10th. If the referendum passes, it would allow the school district to build a new 3 through 12 school in Valley City east of Jefferson elementary school.
Eligible voters who live in the Valley City School District can vote on Tuesday, June 10th from 9am to 7pm in school district office building on Central Avenue north. Those who have absentee ballot, they must be postmarked no later than Monday, June 9th.
Four individuals will be counting the ballots on Tuesday, June 10th after the polls close at 7pm. The four are NOT employed with the Valley City School district but have been hired by the school district to count the ballots. The public is invited to watch the ballot counting located in the school district office building on Central Avenue north.
Under North Dakota Century Code, in order for a referendum to pass, 60% or more of the eligible voters need to vote in favor of the measure. Also on the ballot, two school board members, Phil Hatcher and Darin Anderson, both are running unopposed.
If the referendum passes, property taxes on a residential home valued at $100,000 would increase yearly by $336. While commercial property taxes would increase yearly by $373. Ag land taxes would increase by $3.60 per acre under this referendum.
Who can vote?
If you are a U.S citizen, at least 18 years or older, who lives in the Valley City Public School District (for 30 days prior to the Election Day), including apartment residents, you are eligible to vote on June 10th.
North Dakota does not require voter registration, but you do need to have a valid form of identification that can be used for voting. This means you should make sure you have proper identification with you before you go to the polls to vote on June 10th. These forms of identification may include:
- North Dakota Driver’s License
- North Dakota Non-Driver’s License
- Tribal ID or Tribal Letter
- Long-Term Care Certificate
If your ID does not list your current address, bring one of these as supplemental documentations:
- Utility bill or bank statement
• Paycheck or pay stub
• Government-issued check or document
• Printed document from a college or university + student ID
How do I know if I live in the school district?
If you live within the city limits of Valley City, you are part of the Valley City Public School District (VCPS).
If you live in a rural area near Valley City, please review the attached school district map or check your primary residence property tax statement to confirm your school district.
How to vote absentee and Absentee Ballot Reminder
An Absentee Ballot Application has been attached above for your convenience. You can also find it on our website at https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/voting-absentee. Please return your completed application by:
- Email: vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us
- Drop it off at the Central Administration Building- 460 Central Ave N Valley City, ND 58072
- Place it in the secure drop box outside the Central Admin Building
Next Steps:
Once we receive your application, we’ll mail your official ballot. You can return the completed ballot by mail (must be post marked by June 9, 2025, to be counted), drop it off in person or place it in the secure drop box.
The ballot must be received by 5:00PM on the day before the election (June 9, 2025) or post marked no later than June 9, 2025.
Want to vote absentee before Tuesday?
If you bring your application in person, you may vote immediately-please bring a valid Voter ID.
How to vote in person on Election Day?
You can vote in-person on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Valley City Public Schools District Offices at 460 Central Ave N Valley City, ND 58072. Remember to bring your proper identification with you of you plan to vote in-person at the district offices on June 10th.
District Office Hours for Absentee Voting: Monday, June 9: Open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Before the upcoming school referendum vote on Tuesday, June 10th, we wanted to reshare information with you about property tax impacts, property tax relief, and the financial impacts of this referendum on the school district and community. This is information that has been included in our public and Q&A meetings in the past two months. If you have any questions about this information, please send us an email at vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us or contact us at 701.845.0483 ext.0.
Tax Impact Calculator
On the referendum webpage at https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/tax-impact-calculator you can determine the tax impact if you own property in the school district. Please use your 2024 property tax statement and enter your true and full value to determine the net annual tax impact if the referendum passes on June 10th.
Property Tax Relief
At the end of the 2025 North Dakota Legislative Session, the state increased the primary residential credit from $500 to $1600. Please see the attached letter detailing how this property tax reform impacts your property taxes.
Informational Videos
We have linked two informational videos below related to property taxes and the financial impacts of the referendum. We have received great feedback on these videos as being helpful to better understand property taxes and financial impacts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_jtx0mzDlU&t=4s