Over the past year, Surrey Public Schools has been studying facility challenges with the help of architects and engineers. A community task force made up of staff, parents, community members, and business leaders toured the school, reviewed facility conditions, and explored potential solutions during several meetings.

The district also partnered with School Perceptions to conduct a community survey so residents could provide feedback before any final decisions are made.

In 2024, the State Fire Marshal identified safety concerns with the connection between the main school building and the portable classrooms. Because of these concerns, the district must address code compliance issues and develop a long-term solution to ensure safe learning environments for students and staff.

Surrey Public Schools formed a community task force that included staff, parents, community members, and local business leaders. The district also worked with ICON Architectural Group and engineers to evaluate facility conditions and develop potential solutions.

The survey helps the district understand community priorities and gather feedback on potential facility improvements before moving forward with any major decisions. Survey responses are collected by School Perceptions, an independent research firm, to ensure confidentiality and accurate reporting.

The district is facing several facility challenges, including:

• Portable classrooms installed in 2012 were intended to be temporary and are nearing the end of their lifespan

• The breezeway connecting the portables to the main building does not meet current fire safety codes

• The portable classrooms are located very close to the main building

• Portions of the building have aging windows, flooring, fixtures, and ceilings that have not been updated in decades

The Fire Marshal report identified several issues with the breezeway and portable classroom connection, including:

• Lack of a compliant fire separation wall

• Stairs that do not meet commercial building code requirements

• Guardrails and open risers that do not meet safety standards

• Roof structural concerns under heavy snow loads

• Wheelchair ramp slopes that exceed accessibility limits

The community task force recommended replacing the aging portable classrooms with eight new permanent classrooms and building a new accessible, code-compliant connection to the main school building.

This solution addresses safety concerns while providing a more efficient and long-term learning environment for students.

The estimated cost for replacing the portable classrooms with eight permanent classrooms and building a new connection to the main school building is approximately $5.8 million.

The estimated annual tax impact for the base project would be approximately:

•$181 per year for a $100,000 residential property

•$201 per year for a $100,000 agricultural or commercial property

Yes. If the district moves forward with a bond referendum, voter approval would be required before the district could borrow funds for the project.

Bond referendums typically require 60% voter approval for the district to borrow funds.

The vote will take place on June 9, 2026 at:

Surrey City Hall

100 Pleasant Ave S

Surrey, ND 58785

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Surrey Public Schools district office for more information or to ask questions about the process.