What HB 1176 Means for North Dakota Schools – A Superintendent’s Perspective
- Les Moore
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
As someone who spent over two decades in education, many of those years serving as a superintendent, I’ve always paid close attention to how policy decisions at the state and national level ripple down into our schools. Today, in my role with ICON Architectural Group, I still walk alongside school leaders as they navigate challenges, and plan for the future of their communities. That’s why House Bill 1176 (HB 1176) caught my attention and why I think it’s important that we talk about what it means.
There’s been a lot of talk about HB 1176, and for good reasons. On the surface, it offers meaningful property tax relief to homeowners. In fact, the new law raises the state’s property tax credit for primary residences to $1,600, which is a significant bump. And I understand the intent behind it, helping North Dakotans deal with continued rising costs. But from a school district’s perspective, there’s another side to the story that should be understood.
Perhaps the most impactful part of HB 1176 for schools is the change to how and when schools can ask our communities for financial support. Moving forward, school districts can no longer hold special elections to bring forward bonds or levy questions. Instead, schools are limited to holding those votes during primary and general elections only. That may sound like a small procedural change, but I can tell you from experience, it’s not.
Special elections have always allowed school districts some flexibility. If a boiler went out, if enrollment surged, or if construction costs suddenly shifted, it meant we could act quickly and bring funding needs to our voters in a timely way. With that window now closed, districts have just two chances in a two-year period to bring their plans to the public. And we all know prices have continued to trend upward with every passing year. That means more long-range forecasting, more pre-planning, and frankly, more pressure to get it right the first time.
Add to that the new 3% cap on property tax increases without voter approval, and you can begin to see the larger picture. Districts are being asked to stretch every dollar a little further, plan a little earlier, and engage their communities more thoughtfully than ever before.
This is where I believe my current role at ICON comes into play. We’re not just designing buildings; we’re helping districts align their vision with today’s realities. We work together with school leaders to assess facilities, map out sustainable strategies, and support community engagement that’s honest, clear, and effective. In this new policy landscape, that work becomes even more important.
I still believe in the power of education to transform lives and strengthen communities. But I also know that behind every successful school initiative is a team of people planning months or even years in advance, and a community that understands the “why” behind every ask. My hope is that we keep talking, keep planning, and keep putting kids at the center of the conversation.
If you ever want to talk more about what this bill means for your district, or how to navigate it, I’m here. This work is personal to me, and I’m proud to keep serving North Dakota schools.
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