VALLEY CITY, N.D. (VCPS) – Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson said there’s a saying that goes, “don’t believe everything that you read on Facebook”. I’m unsure of the origination of this statement, but found it to be fitting the past two days. I don’t usually respond to things said on social media but feel it is necessary to address a few comments shared about the referendum, the new school, and school district. Below, I paraphrased the comments and provided factual information:
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The new school will cost $60 million or a bit more. The voters of the Valley City Public School District approved a project for up to $46 million. Therefore, a project CANNOT exceed $46 million. The approved $46 m project will include the new construction of the 3-12 school, demolition of portions of VCHS, addition of a new parking lot next to the HAC, and safety and security upgrades to Jefferson Elementary. The $46 does also include the architectural fees and a 10% cost contingency for the project. If there are any other projects besides what was included on the ballot, they will be funded through donations, sponsorships, or other sources.
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VCPS held a school referendum for a new school in the past few years. Since I arrived in Valley City in 2016, Valley City Public Schools has not held a school referendum or vote on anything other than electing school board members. According to our records, the last school referendum at VCPS was held on March 25, 2003. This is when the Hi-Liner Activity Center was approved for $3.7 million.
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There isn’t going to be a cafeteria in the new school and students will be bused to eat lunch at the 1991 cafeteria at VCHS. Yes, there will be a cafeteria in the new school that will serve all students in grades k-12.
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There isn’t going to be a gymnasium in the new school. Yes, there will be a two-court gymnasium in the new school for P.E classes, practices, and sub-varsity competition.
Much of this information was presented during our public meetings and is also still available on our referendum webpage at https://www.hiliners.org/o/
Yesterday afternoon, June 12th, unsurprisingly, we received a request for the poll records from Tuesday’s June 10th special election. Specifically, this person asked for the list of names and addresses of individuals who voted in the school referendum along with a map of VCPS. We will HAPPILY provide the requested information to this individual following the laws of the North Dakota Century Code. As we’ve shared earlier this week, the results of the referendum are unofficial until the school board canvasses the election results at their next regular meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Johnson said we are super excited to share more information with you about the next steps for the new school in our community. We will be sharing a proposed timeline and related plans for this upcoming project in Valley City in the coming weeks. He added, It has undoubtedly been an exciting week here in Valley City. First, the community approves building a new school and then Valley City State University breaks ground on the new Tharaldson Family Center on June 12th.
Go Hi-Liners, Go Vikings, Go Valley City!