The project will be funded with a $16.995 million General Obligation bond.
A GO bond is a method of long-term financing that a school district may use to borrow money for construction projects. This spreads the cost of the project over a number of years, similar to a home mortgage. The school district uses property tax funds to repay the debt typically over 20 years.
On November 5th, the District will need a super majority (60% + 1 vote) for the bond to pass.
In addition to the homestead tax credit, eligible claimants who are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value.
Contact the Woodbury County Assessor’s office for more information: https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/assessor_county/credits_exemptions/
You will likely pay close to what you were paying for the Elementary School in FY2023 – or even less. For example, a house assessed at $100,000 would have paid approximately $14.81 per month for the Elementary project, whereas the same house would pay about $10.42 per month for the proposed projects.
The taxable valuation of property within the district has risen from $147 million in 2008 (with the Elementary School project) to $293 million now, effectively doubling over that time. The expected tax levy rate of $4.05 (the same as with the Elementary School) for the new $16.955 million in bonds will be similar to what property owners have recently been paying in the years FY2020-FY2023.
Due to the increased property valuations, the dollars generated from the same rate will be roughly twice what it was. This is why the district can now support a $16.955 million bond compared to the $7.28 million bond for the Elementary School, with similar tax implications on a per $1,000 in taxable value basis.
We pride ourselves on being good stewards of our money. Our current school tax rate is $10.80. With the proposed project, our expected rate would increase to $13.50 – still near the state average of $13.15 for school districts.
The auditorium will provide a state-of-the-art facility where students can rehearse and perform in a professional setting, enhancing their learning and experience. It will also allow for more frequent and larger-scale productions, giving students more opportunities to showcase their talents.
Yes. The auditorium is a multi-functional space that can host a wide range of activities, including college-level and online classes, guest lectures, community meetings, and large school assemblies. Its versatility makes it a valuable asset for the entire school community.
Extra-curricular activities offer numerous long-term benefits for students. Physical activity improves concentration, memory, and classroom behavior, which leads to better academic performance. Regular exercise promotes both mental and physical well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while contributing to a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, extra-curricular activities help students develop important soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, time management, and communication.
An additional gymnasium will provide more space and opportunities for students to participate in sports and physical education, accommodating the increasing number of students and ensuring everyone has access to the facilities they need.
Scheduling conflicts significantly limit the availability of the gymnasium, forcing teams and classes to compete for time. Currently, we schedule over 530 hours of practice time (excluding competitions) for junior high and high school activities between two gyms. This often results in early morning or late evening practice times, leading to fewer practice sessions, reduced participation and disruption to students' routines, affecting their overall well-being and academic performance.
The proposed plan has undergone revisions based on a thorough review by the facility committee. The committee identified several amenities that were more of a "want" than a "need." These included community spaces like the fitness center and walking track, as well as additional performer amenities that were included in the original plan. Additionally, the gymnasium was downsized to accommodate a capacity of 1,200, compared to the previously planned capacity of 1,800.
By focusing on essential needs, the revised plan aims to create a more practical and sustainable option for the community, ensuring that the most crucial facilities are provided to support educational and extracurricular activities.
Based on feedback from the community and working through options with the facility committee, we were able to find a solution and expand our parking from our current 245 spaces to approximately 274 spaces.
There are several important factors to consider. First, our existing buildings currently have the capacity to accommodate future growth. Secondly, maintaining an additional building would incur significant operational and maintenance costs that need thorough evaluation. Additionally, many of our teachers and staff serve both junior high and high school students. Adding a new middle school would require hiring a significant number of staff and would diminish the benefits of teacher collaboration across these grade levels. Lastly, our district does not have the bonding capacity to fund a new middle school, which is averaging between $30-$35 million in the current market.
It's crucial to consider all these factors to ensure a financially responsible and sustainable approach to our educational needs.
Comparing with similar districts, even with our projected enrollment growth, we would still need an increase of 200-250 students to justify the need for a separate middle school building.
The State is projecting LB will grow by approximately 45 students in the next 5 years.
During a work session, the committee evaluated the previous proposed plan and focused on identifying the essential needs for the community's long-term benefit. They differentiated between desirable amenities and essential requirements.
Our facilities committee is composed of a diverse group, including elementary and junior/high school parents, senior citizens, business owners, city leadership, board members, residents from Lawton and Bronson, and rural residents. Additionally, we included representation from administration and staff, as well as individuals from fine arts and athletics, to provide valuable program insights for our recommendations. The Board emphasized the importance of considering the perspectives and needs of each of these groups to ensure our plans align with the community’s priorities.
Community Members
Kendall Thompson
Levi Keleher
Jason Rasmus
Dave Amick
Dave West
Jen Stillwell
Matt Otto
Erin Nelson
Chris Oehler
William Wolleson
Mike Willer
Eric Hansen
Drake MacArthur
Faculty/Employees
Carrie Rice
Emily Klaumann
Nathan Klaumann
Adam Benson
Matt Thoma
Dana Neal
Jake Sheets
Admin/Board Members
Brandi Jessen
Chad Shook
Austin Busch
Dennis Reinke
Bryan Mesz
Students will not be relocated, and they will continue existing operations in school as usual.
Upon the passage of a successful bond, design work would begin immediately with the plan to have the new addition ready for use by Fall 2026.
The building has been designed with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility in mind, ensuring that it is inclusive and accommodating to individuals with diverse mobility needs. One crucial feature contributing to its accessibility is the installation of a modern elevator system.
This elevator not only enhances vertical mobility within the building, but also guarantees that all levels are easily accessible to individuals with disabilities or limited mobility. Whether it's students, staff, or visitors, everyone will have the opportunity to navigate the building comfortably.
