Voters Decide Future Of Thompson Public School

The future for more than 500 kids is on the line in Thompson, North Dakota.
 
An $11 million referendum could bring a new addition to the school, if voters approve.
 
This is take three to try to convince locals to part with some of their hard earned money for the sake of the school.

Educators took a different route this time, one they hope will succeed.
 
Second graders are stuck in a makeshift classroom, singing songs on a divided portion of the school stage, no music room to call their own.

Just outside the curtain, the line at the polls is long.

Voters are casting ballots at Thompson school, getting a good look at the building they’re deciding the future of.
 
“We’re in the business of trying to grow the city,” says Thompson City Council member Desi Sporbert, “and I think this will help the city grow.”
 
If passed, the referendum would add elementary classrooms, a gym, and a high school commons area, setting the school up for the next generation.
 
“Good 30 year plan,” claims superintendent John Maus.
 
The school has gotten by over the last few years by putting classrooms in closets, putting classrooms behind stages and using high school classrooms for the younger kids.

But the superintendent says in a few years that won’t be an option anymore.
 
Maus explains, “Our elementary is big, so we’ve had the luxury of stealing some high school classrooms and space, which in about two years we’re not gonna be able to do and put ourselves in a pretty tough position.”
 
School leaders predict the school’s population will grow by 100 in the next decade. One recent grad says kids need more space.
 
2014 Thompson graduate Alicia Loiland says, “You don’t have to put so many kids in one classroom. The kids will get a better education because the teacher will be able to focus more on each student.”
 
The school tried smaller referendums twice in the last four years.

This time, they’re going big.
 
“To be honest, I’m glad 2012 didn’t pass because it would be a band-aid on the problem,” Maus adds.
 
The school got out into the community more this time.
 
“They gave us a lot more information,” says Loiland.
 
Maus explains, “If anybody wanted to have me for coffee, cookies, church groups, you know, I was more than willing to go sit down and answer questions.”
 
All of this, with the hope of convincing enough people that a better school will lead to a better future for Thompson.
 
60 percent of voters need to say yes for the referendum to pass.

The superintendent says it’s likely to be a tight vote.