Work Underway at Minot North
MINOT – Construction has begun on what will become this city’s newest high school – Minot North.
Dirt work is underway at the location of the former Cognizant building in the northwest part of the city. The building and grounds, valued at $10 million, were gifted to Minot Public Schools for $10. City voters approved a bond issue in December 2021 for the purpose of converting the building into a grade 9-12 school, and for renovations to Central and Magic City Campus.
“We are moving dirt now. We are on schedule,” said Mark Vollmer, superintendent of Minot Public Schools. “We hope to pour the necessary footings and foundations this fall. The prefabricated walls will be here May 1, 2023.”
Vollmer said once the walls arrive on site that construction efforts will really begin to show visible results. The plan for the 115,000 square foot facility is to continue exterior work through next fall until renovation begins on the inside of the building. Tentatively, what is to become Minot North High School, will be open for students at the beginning of the 2024 school year.
“It’s going to be a beautiful building,” remarked Vollmer.
One of the added features to the new high school will be a stainless-steel swimming pool fashioned to Olympic standards.
“It will be awesome. It costs a little more up front but will require less maintenance,” stated Vollmer.
The cost of the new facility is very much on Vollmer’s mind, who acknowledged that tax statements received by city residents earlier this week showed a marked increase in the cost of Public Schools.
“That tax increase is directly related to the school bond issue. We have not raised taxes for our operational budget,” said Vollmer.
Current estimates are that Minot North High School will be capable of accommodating about 1,200 students.
