Surrey, N.D. – The Surrey Public School district’s $5.8 million bond proposal did not achieve the 60 percent supermajority required under North Dakota law, falling just short with an unofficial 59.46 percent support. The shortfall was highlighted after a coding error in McHenry County left nine eligible voters without the proper school‑district designation on their ballots.
Voting numbers and the coding error
Unofficial results show 465 votes in favor and 317 against the bond, a margin that missed the required supermajority by less than one percent. Secretary of State Michael Howe explained that a street segment in McHenry County was incorrectly coded, which meant that nine Surrey voters were not assigned the correct district on their ballots. Only two of those nine voters actually cast ballots on Election Day, and the bond question was omitted from both of their ballots.
Howe told Your News Leader that even if both of those voters had supported the measure, the additional two “yes” votes would not have raised the approval rate to the required 60 percent threshold.
Purpose of the bond
The referendum sought funding to replace ten portable classrooms with eight permanent classrooms, as well as to address fire‑code concerns in the breezeway that connects the portable units to the main building. Superintendent Steven Bucks emphasized that the district’s priority remains providing safe, stable learning environments for its roughly 440 students, from pre‑K through 12th grade.
District response and next steps
In a letter to families and staff, Bucks reassured the community that Surrey Public School will not close. He noted that administrators have been preparing contingency plans for either election outcome and are developing a proposal to accommodate students within the existing main building. Once the plan is finalized, it will be presented to the school board for review at the next meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Bucks also urged residents to avoid spreading unverified rumors about school closures, staffing changes, or classroom rearrangements, stressing that such speculation only creates unnecessary fear for families and staff.
Historical context and broader implications
This is the second attempt this year for Surrey to pass the bond. A similar measure failed in June with roughly 58 percent approval. The recent result mirrors challenges faced by other North Dakota districts; for example, Bismarck’s school bond proposal received 56.74 percent support, also falling short of the supermajority requirement.
A recount is unlikely, though the district could consider a challenge after the results are certified on Nov. 16. The process for such a challenge has not been detailed.
Community involvement
Superintendent Bucks thanked voters for their participation and called on community members to attend the upcoming school board meeting. He emphasized that the dedication of teachers and staff remains the district’s greatest strength and that continued community support will help navigate the facility challenges ahead.
For further information, residents can contact Superintendent Bucks at 701‑838‑1262, extension 2, or via email at [email protected].
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
