Bond 2025 Frequently Asked Questions

Big projects often generate a lot of questions. We’ve tried to answer some of the common ones below. If you have other questions, please contact the district office by phone or email.

If you’d like to see the questions asked by community members at the Community Forum held March 27, 2025, please click here.

Will passing Bond 2025 raise taxes?

No. In fact, the school’s portion of property taxes was recently lowered from the current rate of 18.67340 per thousand for fiscal year 2025 to 17.50388 per thousand for fiscal year 2026. This was shared in a communication sent out by Mr. Grandon on March 7, 2025. Since then, two public readings happened at the March and April school board meetings this spring. Bond 2025 is designed to be funded within this new lower rate.

What projects are planned using Bond 2025?

We’ve listed more detailed information about the projects under the Projects page. But here’s a brief list:

Renovating the secondary library space into additional classroom spaces so 7th and 8th grade can be moved to the secondary wing
Renovating the former middle school classrooms, so the elementary school can have additional rooms. This includes additional space for daycare needs.
Building a new football and track stadium
- Includes turf field, wide enough to accommodate soccer if numbers support a school team in the future
- A new track
- A new, safe area for discus and shot put to practice and complete
- ADA compliant and up to current safety code
Adding air conditioning to the HS Gym and the Kitchen spaces
Updated EFIS work

What needs are the proposed projects addressing?

Based on the February 2025 survey, responses helped focus on priorities related to additional spaces for elementary and daycare, updating outdoor facilities, additional air conditioning to non-learning spaces, and future needs (like having a multipurpose practice field for I-35 programs and youth programs). There are items around the school facilities that need repaired, which are also addressed in the Bond 2025.

Will there be air conditioning in all of the classrooms?

Yes, air conditioning will be in all learning spaces by the start of the 2025-26 school year. This work is happening over the summer break of 2025. It is not part of this Bond 2025 proposal. However, the additional air conditioning in the high school gym and the kitchens would be addressed by Bond 2025.

Will there be land available for FFA use?

Yes. The school district is exploring options for the FFA to have space for row crops. However, this effort is not part of the Bond 2025 proposal. It is part of a holistic approach to I-35 CSD facilities and student extracurriculars.

If the Bond is approved, can projects be changed?

It is possible that project elements can be removed in order to stay on budget. It’s also possible for additional items to be added if the sealed bids come in under the budget. If there are significant changes, the school district will communicate what those changes are and why they are occurring so the community is aware.

How did the Bond 2025 proposal come together?

Key facilities improvement needs were identified over four years ago. Since then, there have been community forums, two facilities committees and a community-wide survey to gather feedback and create a plan to address community priorities and the needed improvements.

After this work was completed, the facilities committee made a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board voted to send the measure to the public for a vote in November.

With the school be promoting the Bond 2025 proposal?

The school district and the Board of Directors will promote an effort to get out and vote along with information about Bond 2025, proposed projects and other general information. However, the decision of a yes or no on this proposal rests with the public. So the District and the Board will not be advocating for a certain outcome. In fact, it’s against Iowa code to do so.