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North Tama County board approves bond question for March 7 ballot

Approved bond would allow district to address most significant facility needs

North Tama County Community School District. TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

At its Monday meeting, the North Tama County Board of Education approved a bond issue question that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

If voters approve the bond, the district will move forward on a series of projects to address our most significant facility needs. These include a new addition to the east with new high school classrooms and collaboration spaces, secure entry upgrades and other security improvements, reconfiguration and remodeling of athletic areas, accessibility improvements, an expansion of the weight room, and selective maintenance (including HVAC and electrical) for numerous other areas of the building.

“Thanks to the input and engagement of our community, the Board of Education has been able to move forward with a proposed solution to our facility needs that would position our students for the future while respecting the needs of our property taxpayers,” said David R. Hill, Superintendent. “By acting now, we believe we can address these needs and ensure North Tama County Schools continue to provide excellent learning environments for students now and in the years to come.”

An approved bond would have a property tax impact of $17.43 per month on a home assessed at $100,000, or $18.47 per month on 40 acres of agricultural land.

The board decided to move forward on this plan based on a comprehensive study of all district buildings and facilities, conducted in 2021. The plan has resulted in a long-range vision for North Tama County’s facilities for the next 10-15 years. Other components of the long-range vision that would occur in future years include replacing the 3-story 1917 structure with a one-story building that includes additional elementary classrooms along with art, library, commons, kitchen, receiving, storage and pupil services spaces, a gymnasium addition, and remodeling of the elementary building to allow for greater collaboration and flexibility.

Additionally, the district and board surveyed the community in September 2022. The results of this survey played a key role in the proposed solution the board eventually approved for the ballot.

For more information on the district’s needs and the solution on the ballot in March, please visit www.northtamaplanning.org