Wisevoter
Bismarck

Bismarck Voters to Decide on School Bond Measure

Residents will vote this November on a $116.5 million bond to fund improvements across the school district.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Secondary Education

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern school building with a brick facade and central courtyard, representing local education facility infrastructure.
Bismarck voters will decide this November on a $116.5 million bond measure intended to fund critical infrastructure upgrades for 16 district schools. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your community approve a tax increase to fund local school infrastructure improvements?

Bismarck Public Schools has placed a $116.5 million bond referendum on the ballot for November 2026. The proposal aims to fund infrastructure improvements across 16 schools in the district after a previous attempt failed in June.

Why it matters

School leadership reduced the requested amount from the previous proposal to improve its economic appeal. The measure seeks to address critical structural and space limitations, particularly at Century High School.

The referendum requires 60 percent approval to pass and would cost the average homeowner $3.54 per month for every $100,000 in home value. Bismarck schools are currently paying down eight different bonds, with a $10 million obligation maturing next.

The players

Bismarck Public Schools

This is the primary public school district serving the city of Bismarck and surrounding areas.

Century High School

This local secondary educational institution is the primary facility requiring infrastructure upgrades.

The details

Century High School currently serves 1,450 students, significantly exceeding the 900-student capacity its auditorium was originally built for. Enrollment at the facility is expected to climb to 1,600 students within the next three years.

Timeline

  1. The previous bond measure failed in June 2026.

  2. This article was published on October 31, 2026.

  3. The referendum vote is scheduled for November 2026.

  4. Century High School enrollment is projected to reach 1,600 in the next 3 years.

  5. The bond measure would fund maintenance projects for the next 20 years if passed.

Culture Shift

The bond proposal operates under the strict 60 percent voter approval threshold mandated for North Dakota school funding initiatives. This referendum follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny on local education spending that saw a similar measure fail earlier this year.

If the measure passes, homeowners will see an increase in their annual tax burden, including an additional $170 for a property valued at $400,000. Residents should evaluate how this recurring tax cost fits into their personal household budgets alongside current property tax obligations.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between funding necessary structural expansions and managing immediate tax increases on their homes. Understanding the long-term impact on school capacity is essential for residents deciding whether to support the district's 20-year maintenance plan.

Further reading

For additional context on local education infrastructure, visit Bismarck Secondary Education.

Source note: This article includes information reported by KX NEWS.

Live Poll

Should your community approve a tax increase to fund local school infrastructure improvements?