Fort Ransom–Lisbon School District Reorganization Information Sheet
Special Election
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Polling Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Polling Locations: Regular polling places in each school district.
Under North Dakota law, voters in both the Fort Ransom School District #6 and Lisbon Public School District #19 must approve the reorganization plan by a simple majority vote for the reorganization to take effect.
If either district votes "No," the reorganization will not occur under the current plan.
What Is Being Proposed?
The Fort Ransom School District #6 and Lisbon Public School District #19 have developed a reorganization plan that would combine the two districts into a single school district effective July 1, 2027.
The reorganized district would continue to operate as Lisbon Public School District #19 and would assume all assets and liabilities of both districts.
The reorganization plan has been approved by:
• The Fort Ransom School Board
• The Lisbon School Board
• The Ransom County School Reorganization Committee
• The North Dakota State Board of Public School Education The final step is approval by the voters of both school districts.
A Long History of Cooperation
The proposed reorganization builds upon a long-standing relationship between the Fort Ransom and Lisbon school districts.
Since 1967, the two districts have worked together cooperatively to provide educational opportunities for students. For nearly six decades, Fort Ransom students and families have
benefited from academic programs, activities, transportation services, special education services, and other cooperative efforts involving both districts.
The reorganization plan is not the beginning of a new partnership. Rather, it formalizes and strengthens a relationship that has existed successfully for generations.
The school districts have changed over time, but the commitment to providing quality educational opportunities for Fort Ransom students through cooperation with Lisbon has remained constant for nearly 60 years.
Why Was the Plan Developed?
Over the past several years, Fort Ransom experienced significant enrollment declines and increasing difficulty maintaining educational and operational services as a standalone school district. By the 2024-2025 school year, enrollment had fallen to a level where it became increasingly difficult to provide the educational opportunities, staffing stability, and financial sustainability that students deserve. This reorganization is ultimately about students and their educational opportunities.
Like many small rural districts across North Dakota, Fort Ransom also faced challenges recruiting and retaining qualified staff. As enrollment declined and staffing needs became more difficult to meet, the board began evaluating long-term options that would best serve students and families.
During the 2025-2026 school year, all Fort Ransom students attended Lisbon Public Schools while Fort Ransom operated as a non-operating district. Daily transportation services continued to be provided for Fort Ransom students.
After careful study, the Fort Ransom School Board concluded that continuing the longstanding partnership with Lisbon would provide students with expanded academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, specialized services, and staffing stability that would be difficult to maintain independently. The reorganization plan was developed to provide long-term educational stability for students while preserving local representation and building upon a successful partnership that has existed since 1967.
What Changes If the Plan Is Approved?
• The reorganization becomes effective July 1, 2027.
• Fort Ransom School District #6 will cease to exist as a separate school district.
• Lisbon Public School District #19 will become the successor district and assume responsibility for the operation and governance of the reorganized district.
• Fort Ransom residents will be guaranteed representation on the reorganized school board through one designated Fort Ransom board seat until June 30, 2030. This provision was included to help ensure local input, community involvement, and a successful transition during the early years of the reorganized district. After that date, all board seats will be filled according to the reorganization plan, and residents of the former Fort Ransom School District will continue to be eligible to run for and serve on the reorganized school board.
• All assets and liabilities of Fort Ransom School District #6 will become assets and liabilities of the reorganized district.
• Students will continue to attend Lisbon Public Schools and have access to the educational programs, activities, services, and opportunities offered by the district.
Student Transportation
The reorganized district plans to continue operating a daily bus route between Fort Ransom and Lisbon using the existing Fort Ransom bus garage as the base of operations. Students living in the Fort Ransom attendance area would continue to have transportation available to and from school on a daily basis.
Maintaining safe, reliable transportation for students and families has been an important consideration throughout the reorganization planning process. The goal is to provide continuity for students while preserving transportation services that families have come to expect.
What Happens to Fort Ransom Property and Assets?
Upon reorganization, all property, buildings, land, equipment, vehicles, financial accounts, and other assets owned by Fort Ransom School District #6 become the property of the reorganized district.
Likewise, any remaining liabilities or obligations of Fort Ransom School District #6 become the responsibility of the reorganized district.
Future decisions regarding district property and facilities will be made by the reorganized school board in accordance with state law and the educational needs of the district.
What Does Not Change?
Several important things will remain the same:
• Students will continue receiving educational services through Lisbon Public Schools.
• Transportation services for Fort Ransom students are expected to continue.
• Fort Ransom residents will continue to have representation on the reorganized school board through a designated board seat until June 30, 2030.
• The commitment to providing quality educational opportunities for students in the Fort Ransom area will remain unchanged.
What Happens During 2026-2027?
Fort Ransom will continue to exist as a school district through June 30, 2027. The district will:
• Maintain a school board.
• Complete required financial and state reporting.
• Pay tuition for resident students attending Lisbon and other districts as required by law.
• Operate in a limited capacity while preparing for the transition.
What Happens If the Plan Is Not Approved?
If either district votes against the proposal:
• The reorganization will not occur.
• The current plan will terminate.
• Any future reorganization effort would require a new plan, new approvals, and a future vote of the people.
Additional Information
Questions regarding the reorganization plan may be directed to:
Fort Ransom School District #6
Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Superintendent (701) 678-3099
Lynelle Hanson, Business Manager (701)680-8767
Lisbon Public School District #19
Justin Fryer, Superintendent (701) 683-4106
Kortney Vessel, Business Manager (701)683-4106