Jefferson Elementary

🎓 Student Voice Matters Carter Hass, a 2025–2026 senior at Valley City High School, shares his perspective on learning in a building that “feels stuck in the 19th century.” From outdated HVAC systems to ADA accessibility challenges, Carter highlights the real facility issues students face every day. 📽️ Watch Carter’s message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb_mdg0tJaQ

🎥 Annie Ness, parent and Facility Advisory Committee member, brings a fresh perspective as a newer resident of Valley City. In this video, Annie shares how her background in a small town and experiences as a parent of two helped shape the committee’s recommendation to the school board regarding our future school facilities. 💬 Hear why she believes this proposal is right for Valley City’s students and families. 📺 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFcYL-ccSIY

🏫 Washington Elementary Principal Chad Lueck shares why modern educational spaces matter. In this video, he highlights how a new 3–12 school—connected to Jefferson Elementary—would support today’s learning needs, enhance school safety, and open doors for collaboration across all grade levels. Hear how education has evolved and why updated, secure spaces are essential for students and staff to thrive together. 💬👥 📽️ Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACrp0NhJaP0

🎓 VCHS Alum & 2024 Teacher of the Year, Sarah Lerud, shares her perspective after 21 years of teaching at Valley City High School. She highlights the real challenges of teaching in an aging facility—and the impact it has on students, especially those with physical disabilities who face daily barriers due to ADA non-compliance. 🏫 Her story is a powerful reminder of why safe, accessible, and updated facilities matter for every student. 💬 📽️ Watch her message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIThQtPKkyI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hiliners.org%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE

Before the upcoming school referendum vote on Tuesday, June 10th, we wanted to reshare information with you about property tax impacts, property tax relief, and the financial impacts of this referendum on the school district and community. This is information that has been included in our public and Q&A meetings in the past two months. If you have any questions about this information, please send us an email at vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us or contact us at 701.845.0483 ext.0. Tax Impact Calculator On the referendum webpage at https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/tax-impact-calculator you can determine the tax impact if you own property in the school district. Please use your 2024 property tax statement and enter your true and full value to determine the net annual tax impact if the referendum passes on June 10th. Property Tax Relief At the end of the 2025 North Dakota Legislative Session, the state increased the primary residential credit from $500 to $1600. Please see the attached letter detailing how this property tax reform impacts your property taxes. Informational Videos We have linked two informational videos below related to property taxes and the financial impacts of the referendum. We have received great feedback on these videos as being helpful to better understand property taxes and financial impacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_jtx0mzDlU&t=4s https://youtu.be/5_NpSm8B-wU Again, if you have any questions about this information or the school referendum, please contact us via email at vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us or phone at 701.845.0483 ext. 0.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the citizens of the Valley City Public School District will be voting on a school referendum and school board election. We have been asked by community members, "who can vote on the referendum?". We kindly ask you to please share this information below with anyone that you think is eligible to vote based on the voting requirements. Who can vote? If you are a U.S citizen, at least 18 years or older, who lives in the Valley City Public School District (for 30 days prior to the Election Day), including apartment residents, you are eligible to vote on June 10th. North Dakota does not require voter registration, but you do need to have a valid form of identification that can be used for voting. This means you should make sure you have proper identification with you before you go to the polls to vote on June 10th. These forms of identification may include: North Dakota Driver's License North Dakota Non-Driver's License Tribal ID or Tribal Letter Long-Term Care Certificate If your ID does not list your current address, bring one of these as supplemental documentations: • Utility bill or bank statement • Paycheck or pay stub • Government-issued check or document • Printed document from a college or university + student ID How do I know if I live in the school district? If you live within the city limits of Valley City, you are part of the Valley City Public School District (VCPS). If you live in a rural area near Valley City, please review the attached school district map or check your primary residence property tax statement to confirm your school district. How to vote absentee and Absentee Ballot Reminder An Absentee Ballot Application has been attached above for your convenience. You can also find it on our website at https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/voting-absentee. Please return your completed application by: Email: vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us Drop it off at the Central Administration Building- 460 Central Ave N Valley City, ND 58072 Place it in the secure drop box outside the Central Admin Building Next Steps: Once we receive your application, we’ll mail your official ballot. You can return the completed ballot by mail (must be post marked by June 9, 2025, to be counted), drop it off in person or place it in the secure drop box. The ballot must be received by 5:00PM on the day before the election (June 9, 2025) or post marked no later than June 9, 2025. Want to vote absentee before Tuesday? If you bring your application in person, you may vote immediately-please bring a valid Voter ID. How to vote in person on Election Day? You can vote in-person on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Valley City Public Schools District Offices at 460 Central Ave N Valley City, ND 58072. Remember to bring your proper identification with you of you plan to vote in-person at the district offices on June 10th. District Office Hours for Absentee Voting: Friday, June 6: Open 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Monday, June 9: Open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🎥 New Video: Referendum Insights from Darin Anderson Today, we’re sharing an important message from School Board Vice-President Darin Anderson, who offers his perspective on the upcoming school referendum and the plan to build a new school for Valley City Public Schools. Darin is a VCHS Class of 1995 graduate, a fifth-generation Barnes County farmer, and the proud parent of two current VCHS students and a recent 2025 graduate. We’re grateful to Darin for taking time during spring planting to speak on the long-term impact this project could have on our students and our community. ▶️ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/5_NpSm8B-wU 🔗 Learn more: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/referendum

Referendum Information: What Happens if the Referendum Fails? (Consequences of a 'No' Vote on June 10)

📢 Limited Spots Available! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity for your child! Call the Jefferson Office at 845-0622 or email Mrs. Goven at becky.goven@k12.nd.us today for more information and to reserve your spot. Spots are filling fast—sign up now! 💙

📢 Referendum Q&A Session – June 5, 2025 Join us for our final scheduled Q&A session about the proposed new school project: 🗓️ Wednesday, June 5 🕙 10:00 – 11:00 AM 📍 District Office Conference Room This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more ahead of the vote. 📌 Learn more before the vote: FAQ Page: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/frequently-asked-questions Tax Impact Calculator: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/tax-impact-calculator 📌 Please note: This is the final Q&A session scheduled before the June 10 vote. Questions? Call 701-845-0483 or email vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us.

📢 REMINDER: Open House & Public Information Meeting – TONIGHT! Join us tonight, June 3rd, at Valley City High School for an evening of food, tours, and conversation about the future of our school facilities. 🍽️ Open House Meal & School Tours: 5:00–6:30 PM (or until gone) 📍 Use Door N2 🗣️ Public Meeting Begins at 6:30 PM This is a great chance to see the building, ask questions, and connect with school board and committee members before the June 10th referendum vote. ✅ Free and open to the public – come for the food, stay for the info! Questions? Call 701.845.0483 ext. 0 or email vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us.

📣 Reminder: Open House Tomorrow! Join us tomorrow, June 3rd, for our Open House at Valley City High School starting at 5:00 PM! 🌭 Enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers (served until gone) 🏫 Take a tour of the high school 🗣️ Stay for the Referendum Information Meeting at 6:30 PM Everyone is welcome—staff, students, families, and community members! Get informed, get involved, and enjoy a night out with the VCPS community. 📍 Please use Doors N2, W6, or E1

🎉 Congratulations to Our Honor Roll Students! We’re proud to recognize our Junior High students who made the Quarter 4 Honor Roll and our Senior High students who achieved Semester 2 Honor Roll status! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic success do not go unnoticed. Great job, Hi-Liners! 💙📚

🎙️ In Case You Missed It! Check out this recent interview featuring industry expert Kyle Kvamme (ICON) and VCHS alum Mike Barsness as they discuss deferred maintenance and the Valley City Public Schools referendum. 🎥 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SxHfzZagfU 🔗 For more information and additional videos, visit: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/informational-videos

In addition to many other resources available on our webpage link below, Facilities Director Jordyn Heck describes the specific deferred maintenance items included in the $37 million estimated capital maintenance plan for Valley City Public Schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTrl26hWzEA 🔗 For more details and additional informational videos, visit: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/informational-videos

Special Announcement: Open House at VCHS on June 3rd (Meal, Tours, and Public Meeting) Who: Students, Parents, Staff, and Citizens of the Valley City Public School District What: Open House with a Meal, Tours of the School, and Public Meeting Where: Valley City High School (Use Door N2) When: Tuesday, June 3rd (Food 5-6:30 PM or until gone, School Tours 5-6:30 PM, Public Meeting at 6:30 PM) On behalf of our school facility advisory committee and school board, we invite you to our open house event followed by a public meeting at Valley City High School on Tuesday, June 3rd. We will be serving up good food and providing tours of the school prior to the last public meeting. This is a great opportunity to see the high school and visit with committee and school board members before the school referendum vote on Tuesday, June 10th. Please join us for an opportunity to learn more about the future of school facilities at Valley City Public Schools. This event is free and open to the public, and anyone can attend any or all portions of the event! If you have any questions about this event and/or the school referendum, please contact us at 701.845.0483 ext. 0 or email us at vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us. Go Hi-Liners!

🎭 You’re Invited – One Night Only! Come cheer on 42 amazing student performers as they bring the stage to life in “WMIC Eeeeasy Viewing: The Squeakquel” – a funny and creative show packed with personality and heart! 📅 Friday, May 30 🕡 6:30 PM 📍 VCHS Theater – Use Door W6 Directed by Carol Foth, Collette Jensen, and Sheila Kriewald, this original production is brought to you by the 21st Century Grant Program and showcases the incredible talent and hard work of our students. Bring your family and friends for an evening of laughter and entertainment. You won’t want to miss it! 💙🎤

📢 Referendum Q&A Session – May 28, 2025 Join us for a public Q&A session to learn more about the proposed new school project: 🗓️ Wednesday, May 28 🕛 12:00 – 1:00 PM 📍 Jefferson Elementary Gymnasium 🚪 Please use Door H3 🏫 Tours of the building will be available following the meeting. 📌 Learn more ahead of time: FAQ Page: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/frequently-asked-questions Tax Impact Calculator: https://www.hiliners.org/o/vcsd/page/tax-impact-calculator If you have any questions, please call us at 701-845-0483 or email vcps.referendum@k12.nd.us.

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Reminder VCPS will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll see you back on Tuesday!

📚 Did You Know? In 1920, just one year after Valley City High School was built, only 38 students graduated. Fast forward 105 years, and we’re proud to celebrate 75 graduating seniors in the Class of 2025! 🎓 A lot has changed over the years, but our commitment to student success is as strong as ever. 💙