Telegraph file photo.

Residents of the North Tama County Community School District provided valuable input and feedback on the district’s facility needs through a recent community-wide survey.

The survey, which was open from September 14 through October 4, asked residents to review the facility needs and provide their input on potential solutions. It had a strong response rate, with 356 people completing the survey.

In the survey, 78.6 percent of respondents indicated they agreed or strongly agreed that the school district’s most urgent facility needs should be addressed now. About 73 percent said they would definitely or probably support a $17 million bond issue in March 2023 to address these needs.

Through an open-ended question, community members shared that they would like to see a well-thought-out plan to address the needs, that the district should look to keep costs as low as possible, and that the district should focus first and foremost on the most urgent needs.

The survey results will be combined with the feedback provided to the district and School Board through community events over the past 18 months.

“We want to thank all our community members who took the time to provide us with their thoughts and input on these important issues for the future of North Tama schools,” said David R. Hill, Superintendent. “As we move forward, we remain committed to ensuring that any bond issue that may appear on a future ballot is a truly community-driven solution that meets the needs of our students, families, and taxpayers.”

The School Board and district leaders will continue to engage the community around the district’s facility needs and potential solutions in the weeks and months ahead.