Moorhead Area Public Schools is announcing a series of strategic facility relocations taking place this summer to enhance student support, maximize existing building spaces and ensure fiscal responsibility for the community.
Beginning this summer, the district’s Community Education programs—including Adult Basic Education, Youth and Adult Enrichment programs, and Early Childhood Family Education—will relocate from the Vista Center for Education to the MHS Career Academy. Subsequently, the Moorhead Alternative Learning Center (ALC), Level 4 Special Education and alternative programs will move into the Vista Center for Education building.
These facility updates are driven by the district's commitment to three key areas:
Student Safety and Support: Establishing the ALC in a distinct space allows for a highly supported environment with customized support and security structures. In addition, the move allows the district to transition Level 4 Special Education students back to Moorhead from Fergus Falls, providing localized support closer to home.
Fiscal Responsibility and Facility Maximization: By ending long-distance transportation and out-of-district tuition for Level 4 programs, the district will realize significant cost savings. The district is also prioritizing facility maximization by strategically utilizing its current building footprints rather than seeking funding for new construction.
Program Alignment: The relocation of Community Education to the MHS Career Academy seamlessly integrates adult and youth enrichment programs with the district’s premier career and technical education facilities.
"We are constantly looking for ways to be better stewards of our resources while improving the educational experience for every student," said Dr. Brandon Lunak, Superintendent of Moorhead Area Public Schools. "By rethinking how we use the spaces we already have, we are able to save taxpayer dollars, provide a dedicated and highly supported environment for our ALC and Special Education students, and create a fantastic community hub at the Career Academy."
Community Education will be fully operational at the MHS Career Academy by July 1, 2026. The Vista building will undergo minor renovations over the summer to prepare for the ALC and Level 4 Special Education programs, which will open at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.