03.20.14

Hoeven Joins Minot Community to Celebrate Opening of New Erik Ramstad Middle School

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today toured the new Erik Ramstad Middle School and joined the Minot community at an open house celebration for the new building. Hoeven has been working to secure federal funding for infrastructure damaged by flooding, including $24.5 million for Ramstad Middle School project. The total project cost is approximately $36-37 million.

“We’re rebuilding and making the Minot community even stronger than it was before the flood,” said Hoeven. “Ramstad Middle School is a prime example of the progress we’re making. This new school stands as a symbol of the truly bright future that lies ahead for this community.”

The new Erik Ramstad Middle School is 126,000 square feet and provides classroom space for 720 students, approximately 200 more students than the original building. The new facility is three levels and has a smaller, more cost-effective footprint than the former school, which was a single-level, 102,000-square-foot building.

Classes for Ramstad students were temporarily held in the Minot City Auditorium before students moved into the new building over the Thanksgiving break. Currently, there are approximately 565 students enrolled at Ramstad Middle School.

In addition to his work to secure federal funding to replace flood-damaged infastructure, Hoeven also convened a meeting in Washington, D.C. for state, city and school leaders to meet with FEMA officials to move forward with plans to rebuild the middle school. In August 2012, Hoeven joined Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman, Superintendent Mark Vollmer and other school officials to break ground for the school.