Bismarck School Bond Passes | Video

Kristin Clouston | 9/18/2012

Overwhelming voter support means Bismarck will build two new elementary schools and a new high school, as well as make improvements to other schools with an $86.5 million bond. Bismarck Public Schools won its bond issue with a landslide 85 percent yes vote.

In North Dakota, you need 60 percent voter approval to pass a school bond. The totals were 11,715 for the bond and 2,056 against it.

Superintendent Tamara Uselman says the district isn`t wasting any time.

"Tomorrow we get to work on building new schools. Already, we are thinking we could do groundbreaking as early as next week and just start the projects right away."

But that`s only the beginning, and Uselman warns actual construction probably won`t happen as quickly as voters would like.

"We`re really hoping to have some space available in the next school year. Whether we can open it in the fall or a mid year opening around Christmas time, will depend on a lot of things. First, the bond passing, second, the availability of construction materials and labor, and third, the extent to how kind winter is to us."

There were 21 polling locations for this election, and the district says it couldn`t have done it without the support of long time poll workers.

Marion Ellefson has worked the polls for 35 years.

"I think this is a smaller election, and people are in and out really quickly. And I think for me, it`s seeing a lot of people that I know and haven`t seen in a long time is what I like about it," Ellefson said.

Workers say sometimes special elections have small numbers when they`re held close to a November election but they`re looking forward to seeing everyone again in a couple months.

The precinct that drew the most votes was Lincoln City Hall. They had a 93.3 percent yes vote.

Mandan is holding it`s special school bond election next Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. You can vote at any Mandan elementary school, the middle school or the Braves Center.

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