Fairfield school district asks public to support new middle school

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Community School District has placed a ballot measure up for vote on Nov. 5 on whether to take out general obligation bonds for a new middle school.

Voters will be asked if they support borrowing $38.51 million for a new building that, if approved, would be built south of the existing Fairfield Middle School. That building was built in 1966, and the school board is asking voters for approval to build a new one because of structural problems that have led to high maintenance costs of $1 million per year. According to a fact sheet supplied by the district, it would cost $40.4 million to renovate the existing building.

In an effort to educate the public about the vote on Nov. 5 and answer questions, the district has planned six community forums over the next two months, which are as follows:

Thursday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Middle School Commons

Monday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m., ACT Building

Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Libertyville Community Center

Monday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m., ACT Building

Sunday, Oct. 27, 3:30 p.m., Middle School Commons

Sunday, Nov. 3, 3:30 p.m., Middle School Commons

Fairfield school board member Christie Kessel said the building’s structural problems stem from it being constructed too low, leading to constant water infiltration from poor drainage.

“To remedy the problem, our construction company said you’d have to raise the building 6 inches, which is obviously not feasible,” Kessel said. “We continue to have leaking all over the building, ruining equipment, and teachers are unable to teach in certain areas.”

The fact sheet from the district lists a number of related problems such as water leaking into walls and single-pane windows with significant water and air leaks, and other ways that the building is deficient such as not being in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, lack of a secure entrance, and classrooms that are 150 square feet smaller than current standards.

Kessel said the district wants to build the new building south of the existing FMS to reuse the geothermal heating system installed there.

“That was a pretty significant investment in one of the last bonds, and we want to retain that,” she said.

The Union reached out to Superintendent Zach Wigle and Chief Financial Officer Evan Marten for more details on the bond, and here are their responses to a list of questions:

1. Do we have the official ballot language ready to share with the public?

Yes, the ballot language is as follows: "Shall the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Community School District in the Counties of Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $38,515,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new middle school building, including site improvements?"

2. Over how many years will the $38.51 million be paid off?

The repayment period will be determined by the Board of Directors during bond sales. Typically, General Obligation Bonds have a term of around 20 years, but this can vary. There are also options to structure the bonds to allow refinancing for better rates or early payoff.

3. What do you anticipate the effect on the district's tax levy will be to accommodate this bond?

[Marten directed residents to view the fact sheet, which shows an anticipated increase in the district’s tax levy of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. This would mean that a family owning a $150,000 house would pay an extra $175 in property taxes per year. A farmer who owned 320 acres of farmland would see their taxes increase $912 per year, and a commercial property valued at $550,000 would see a tax increase of $1,337 per year. The fact sheet also indicates that Fairfield’s current tax levy is second-lowest among the 10 schools in the state with comparable enrollment, and the second-lowest among the six schools in the Southeast Conference.]

4. I understand that the plan is to move fourth grade into this new middle school so that it would serve grades 4-8, Pence would serve grades 1-3, and Washington would serve pre-K and kindergarten. Is that right?

Yes, that is correct. This plan will also allow us to potentially expand our early childhood programming, which could help increase enrollment.

5. If the bond is approved, when would construction on the new building begin, and when would students move into it?

If the bond is approved, we will immediately enter the design phase, which could take 3-9 months. This process will involve significant collaboration with district stakeholders. Once designs are finalized and contractor bids are awarded, construction will begin, with an estimated construction time of about 20 months. Wigle: If things go well, we would like to start construction in the spring of 2026. It would take two "school years" (2026-27 and 2027-28) to finish with an official opening date of Fall 2028. That would be in a perfect world.

6. Can you tell me how this GO bond referendum is different from the one that failed in September 2021?

Several key changes have been made: we will avoid the costly geothermal well field, utilize the current middle school during construction to prevent displacement, include multiple drop-off loops, and provide a revised concept drawing to enhance academic programming and improve school safety.

7. Does this bond referendum need 50%-plus 1 to pass, or does it need 60 percent approval?

The bond referendum requires a supermajority to pass, meaning it must receive at least 60%-plus 1 of the vote.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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