North Dakota School Board Approves New $94.5M High School

The Mandan School Board in Mandan, N.D., recently approved the construction of a new, $94.5-million high school. The new Mandan High School is set to replace the existing facility of the same name, which is scheduled for demolition once students transition to the new space. Construction by Northwest Contracting is scheduled to begin soon and finish in time for the beginning of the 2024–25 academic year, according to local news.

Funding for the project comes from an $84-million bond referendum that voters approved in April 2021. The referendum was for the construction of a new high school and a new elementary school in the nearby Lakewood area. Local news reports that construction on the new Lakewood Elementary is underway and is scheduled for completion in fall 2023. Additional funds will come from multiple sources like a successful Career & Technical Education (CTE) grant; the sale of property surrounding the two new schools; and various sponsorship opportunities and public-private partnerships.

“While the cost of the buildings has increased substantially over the last year, due to inflation, taxpayers can still expect to pay the $99.00 per $100,000 of property they own,” said Sheldon Wolf, Mandan School Board President. “This was the estimate that was shared by school officials during the school referendum informational meetings last year.”

Rising construction costs and funding limits have caused a few projects that were part of the original plan to be put on hold—such as a new swimming pool attached to the high school. The district said that the pool has already been designed and can be added when funds become available.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • Construction Begins on East Austin CTE-Focused High School

    The Del Valle Independent School District recently announced that construction has begun on a new CTE-focused high school in Austin, Texas, according to a news release. Del Valle High School will measure in at 473,338 square feet and have the capacity for 2,400 students.

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.

Digital Edition