The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our top priority. Security features and ADA compliance are not adequately emphasized in our schools. Upgrading these areas will enhance overall safety and ensure accessibility for all students.
Project-based learning, technology integration, and customized curriculum are new methods being implemented in education. We need to prepare our students for the future, utilize the space we have and maximize our resources.
Our schools are vital to our communities, educating children, retaining families, and attracting new ones. Creating a welcoming environment for students, teachers, parents, community members, and visitors is essential to our District.
The project will use a combination of financing resources. $18.6 million of the total project cost will be funded using General Obligation Bonds, which come from property taxes within the District. $7.945 million will come from SAVE funds, which are allotted to each District in the state of Iowa, generated by a statewide sales tax.
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.
The term is 20 years, but the Board was able to pay off the bond for the Elementary School four years early, with an interest cost savings to property owners of $239,825 because of the early pay-off.
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 your County Assessor’s office for more information: https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/assessor_county/credits_exemptions/
https://monona.iowaassessors.com/
The School Board recently completed a comprehensive District master plan to establish a sustainable, long-term vision for our facilities. Engaging various stakeholders in the planning process, including students, educators, parents, and community members, was important. Our goal was to revitalize as much of the existing building as possible while creating the maximum impact for our students and teachers.
We pride ourselves on being good stewards of our money. Our current school tax rate is $10.38. With the proposed project, our expected rate would increase to $13.08 – still below the state average of $13.15 for school districts.
Upon the passage of a successful bond, design work would begin immediately with the plan to begin construction in May 2026. Construction will be phased to accommodate students and the use of the building.
