Eastern Iowa schools ask voters to OK millions for facilities

Four Eastern Iowa school districts are taking multimillion bond referendums to voters this November that — if approved — would address school facility needs.

The higher turnout that comes with a presidential election is a “positive” for the school bond question also on the ballot, said Center Point-Urbana Superintendent John Elkin.

“It means more people in our community taking the opportunity to weigh in on the bond,” Elkin said. “It’s going to ensure the bond decision reflects the voice of the people in the district.”

The Center Point-Urbana Community School District is taking a $20.6 million bond referendum to district voters that, if approved, would fund construction of an auditorium and secure entrances at the elementary and middle school, among other projects.

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In Iowa, at least 60 percent of voters within a school district’s boundaries must vote for the bond — basically, loans that schools take out for years — in order for it to pass. The voters would agree to repay the loan with interest through their property taxes.

The elections will be Nov. 5.

As of July 1, 2023, Iowa lawmakers required that all special bond must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November -- the date of statewide and federal elections.

School districts taking general obligation bond referendums to voters this fall are, in some cases, faced with educating more voters than before because presidential elections attract more voters.

Center Point-Urbana

The first phase of projects under the Center Point-Urbana district’s facility plan would be funded with revenue from the voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy and an existing statewide 1-cent sales tax called Secure an Advanced Vision for Education.

Phase 1 projects include roof repairs and replacements to the elementary and middle schools and heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements to all the schools. Elkin said these are “non-flashy” projects but critical to a building’s infrastructure.

Phase II — which would be funded by the proposed $20.6 million bond — includes construction of a 600-seat auditorium at the high school, along with a new weight room and a multipurpose space. Improvements also are planned for the athletic fields and concessions.

Phase II also would fund the addition of secure entrances at the elementary and middle schools similar to those already in place at the intermediate and high schools.

Elkin said Center Point-Urbana is the only school district in the WaMaC Conference in Iowa — which includes Benton, Clear Creek Amana, Marion Independent, Mount Vernon and Solon schools — without an auditorium. “One could safely say that limits the potential growth of those fine arts programs,” he said.

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If approved, the bond referendum would not increase the debt service levy for homeowners in the school district. The current debt service rate is $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value. The current school levy rate is $17.78 per $1,000.

Construction would begin in spring 2027.

“The longer we wait, the more these projects will cost,” Elkin said.

There are about 1,400 students in the Center Point-Urbana Community School District.

Williamsburg

The Williamsburg Community School District is bringing a $22.3 million bond referendum to voters that would build on projects funded by SAVE in its first phase.

Phase 1 — between a $12 million to $13 million cost funded by SAVE — would address needs at Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School. The project would consolidate two existing cafeterias into one food preparation and serving area and one central commons area to better use the space in and around the main corridor between the gymnasium and library.

Creating one central commons area also will allow the district to expand the space available for the instrumental music program. Other updates to the building include heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other mechanical work to enhance energy efficiency and reliability.

At Mary Welsh Elementary School, Phase 1 — funded by SAVE — would include the construction of a fifth- and sixth-grade wing, create additional parking and upgrades to the HVAC and mechanical equipment.

If approved, the bond would continue facility projects in Phase II. It would fund the creation of a new Career and Technical Education Center at the Jr/Sr High School for students to get hands-on experience and training to prepare for careers, especially in areas like industrial technology, building and trades and agriculture education.

The bond also would fund the repurposing of classrooms that now house industrial technology and agriculture education at the Jr/Sr High. Updates would be made to classrooms to improve the accessibility and function of those learning spaces.

In phase II at Mary Welsh Elementary, the bond would fund modifications throughout the building to better meet best practices in teaching and learning, especially in collaboration and small group instruction. Changes include relocating the media center, adding space for instrumental music instruction and updating lighting to LED.

The referendum would allow the district the authority to collect a debt levy of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property. This would result in a net tax increase of $1.83 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. The district’s overall property tax levy rate is $14.33 per $1,000 of taxable property value, a rate decline of more than 8 percent since 2011.

In a survey — commissioned by the district — about 69 percent of respondents said they would “probably” or “definitely” support the referendum. There are about 1,300 students in the Williamsburg Community School District.

Highland

The Highland Community School District is asking voters to consider about a $15 million bond referendum that, if approved, would fund an addition and renovations to the middle and high school building and elementary school.

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The project includes improvements at the middle and high school locker rooms, a multipurpose area and the addition of a gymnasium with space for more spectator seating. At the elementary school, improvements would be made to classrooms, administrative spaces and a secure entrance.

If approved, the bond would not increase the tax rate since the district has another bond being paid off next year. The school levy rate for homeowners in the district would remain at $12.95 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

There are about 500 students in the Highland Community School District, which is south of Iowa City and includes the Riverside and Ainsworth communities.

Decorah

The Decorah Community School District is asking voters to consider about a $38 million bond referendum that, if approved, would fund a new elementary school.

In September, voters in the district approved two public measures that were the initial steps in the district’s plan to construct the new elementary school.

The Revenue Purpose Statement received about 75.5 percent approval through 2051. The statement explains how districts will spend revenue under the state’s SAVE fund.

Public Measure E, which sought permission to increase the district’s debt service levy limit from $2.05 to $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value, was approved by almost 71 percent. At least 60 percent approval was needed to pass.

The district purchased land in fall 2023 near the current John Cline Elementary School, 101 Claiborne Dr. in Decorah, where a new elementary will be built if the bond passes.

The new school would replace John Cline Elementary and West Side Early Childhood Center, at 301 Center St. in Decorah.

In April, a survey was created to gather feedback about the potential construction of an elementary school. Over 76 percent of respondents said they would support such a project, while 15.4 percent said they would not and 8.1 percent said they were unsure.

If voters approve the referendum, homeowners in the district would see an estimated impact of 86 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value. This would result in an increase of approximately $7.96 per month — or about $95 a year — for a home with a valuation of $250,000, the district said.

The Decorah Community School District serves about 1,700 students.

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