1. Northern Cass School District Building Fund Public Meeting
Monday, April 3rd (Hunter Ambulance Building)
Monday, April 10th (Arthur Community Hall)
Thursday, April 20th (Argusville Community Center)
Monday, April 24th (Grandin Fire Hall)
Thursday, May 4th (Northern Cass Auditorium)

2. Collective Commitments
‘We are dedicated and passionate about relationships, teaching and learning, self-reflection, acknowledging greatness, and support of the Northern Cass community’
‘We are driven towards continuous improvement’

3. Northern Cass Why
‘We believe every child can change the world; therefore, we must provide a world class education’

4. Strategic Plan Goals
Each student will graduate choice ready (career, job, or military).
Northern Cass will foster a positive partnership with all stakeholders.
Northern Cass will develop a formal communication plan to proactively engage stakeholders.

5. Small School Environment…Big School Opportunities
Moving from good to great…
Northern Cass Jaguar Academy
Northern Cass Middle School
Departmentalization in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades
Nurtured Heart Approach
Multi-Tier System of Support
Northern Cass Teacher Leadership Academy
Northern Cass Jaguar Vision (Channel 79)
Northern Cass Website and App

6. Did You Know? Did you know?
Athletic complex paid in full without the fund or raising taxes
Addition to the playground was built through general fund dollars
All maintenance and upkeep of the building has been done through our general fund

7. Where We Are At Currently
Original Building Bond ‘On’
Mills Levied
Original Building Bond ‘Off’
General Fund 70
Special Reserve 3
Miscellaneous Levy 12
Debt Service 30 7
Building Fund 10
Total Levy
115
102

8. Building Fund—The What
North Dakota Century Code allows the governing body of a district to levy taxes annually for a school building fund, not in excess of 20 mills
We are asking for 10 mills
It can be used for:
The construction of school district buildings and facilities.
The renovation, repair, or expansion or school district buildings and facilities.
The improvement of school district buildings, facilities, or real property.
Lease or rental of buildings.
In North Dakota, 120 of 175 districts have a building fund
In Cass County:
5 districts have a building fund (Maple Valley, Central Cass, and Northern Cass don’t)

9. Building Fund—The Why Building will be 18 years old
Continued to use materials from when the districts combined including kitchen equipment, tables, and lockers in our locker rooms
Building fund wasn’t needed when the building was constructed.
Now needed for regular maintenance and to address growing enrollment and changes to the educational landscape
Have been using the miscellaneous levy (12 mills) to support building and grounds projects
With the state not increasing funding, we must now use those mills specifically for salaries and benefits in order to maintain a great staff

10. Building Fund—Taxpayer Savings
Market Value
23 Mills Removed (cost)
10 Mills Added (cost)
Total Savings
$100,000 (Home)
$103.50
$45.00
$58.50
$200,000 (Home)
$207.00
$90.00
$117.00
$3,500/Acre (Land)
$4.03/acre
$1.75/acre
$2.28/acre
$4,500/Acre (Land)
$5.18/acre
$2.25/acre
$2.93/acre

11. Building Fund—Draft of Three Year Plan
Carpet (upstairs east wing and music room)/Flooring
$30,000
Carpet/Flooring
Locker Room Lockers
$20,000
Track Resurface and Softball Infield Work
$120,000
Locker Room Shower Renovation
TBD
Locker Room Show Renovation
Ag Room Remodel
$7,000
Office Space
$10,000
Switch to LED Lights for Parking Lot and Gyms
$40,000
Bleachers for softball field
$15,000
Lunch Tables
$5,000
Additional Power to Athletic Fields
$25,000
Entry way for north side of the building
$35,000
Resurface of auditorium stage and seating
Equipment (scoreboards, tables, desks, cameras, etc.)

12. Building Fund—The How
Vote will be held on Tuesday, June 13th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Polling will be done at the Northern Cass School
Approved by a vote of the people with 60% of the vote

13. If It Doesn’t Pass Conversations will start regarding the following:
Programs
Class Sizes
Staffing
Extra-Curricular Activities

14. What We Hear Jon Martinson (North Dakota School Boards Association)
It has been my good fortune to visit many schools in my travels around the state.  As I pulled up to the Northern Cass School  building, I thought it had been recently constructed.  Perhaps as recently as last fall.  It’s hard to believe that in two years, the facility will be twenty years old.  It’s in marvelous shape which is a tribute to the pride you all have in your school.
A banner titled “Collective Commitments” greets visitors entering the school.  This banner mentions dedication, passion, greatness, and continuous improvement.   As it turns out, it served as a metaphor for my experience with you, your business manager, and school board members. 
I was also impressed with a variety of student art displayed in the hallways and memorabilia in a display case from a recent trip to Germany and Spain by members of your school community.    
Your school has a very positive, encouraging, and uplifting vibe.  It was a delight to visit your school and experience first-hand such a unique school environment.

15. Our Challenge
Support Northern Cass and its move to greatness with a ‘yes’ vote on June 13th
Visit the school for a tour and lunch at ANY time
We want you to see:
What we do
Why we do it
How we do it

16. Questions/Concerns?
Contact me at or