From left, Dysart Mayor Tim Glenn, Union school board member Brandon Paine, and La Porte City Mayor Jasmine Gaston pictured recently on Aug. 13 with Union’s bond referendum petition which was circulated in both communities. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Community School District Board of Education has approved a $20.5 million bond referendum that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

Petitions asking the board to place the bond question on the ballot circulated in the communities in recent weeks. After the required number of signatures was collected from eligible voters, the petition was filed with the board for consideration on August 12.

A total of 144 signatures were verified, which is nearly 40% more than the required amount. The bond referendum on November 5 will be the first in Union CSD’s history.

“I am very proud and excited for this tremendous opportunity,” Superintendent John Howard said. “The facilities team, numerous community members, and our board did an excellent job of formulating a quality plan to not only positively address our buildings’ needs, but also to provide our students, staff and community members with outstanding additions, making our environments the best possible.”

Bond referendums require at least 60% approval from voters to pass.

The total estimated project cost is $27.45 million. General obligation bonds approved by voters would pay for $20.5 million and be supplemented with funds from the district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) and the statewide one-cent sales tax fund for school infrastructure known as SAVE.

The proposed projects are designed to bolster student safety and address deficiencies at all Union CSD campuses. More than two years of facility assessments and planning was completed by the Board of Education, administration, and a facility task force.

Improvements to the fire alarms and mechanical systems at Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School and La Porte City Elementary School are planned. This includes preventative maintenance and equipment replacement.

Union Middle School would undergo roof improvements and replacements, along with a renovation of the public restrooms.

A new boiler and chiller plant would be installed at the high school, as well as new ventilation systems. Renovations would be made to the science rooms, family and consumer science room, public restrooms, locker rooms, cafeteria, and library. A new practice gymnasium and locker rooms would also be constructed.

The high school’s cafeteria and kitchen would be transformed into a new library and student center. The existing library would be renovated to become a new commons area with a kitchen, public restrooms, and concessions.

An approved bond referendum would have a tax impact of $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home with an assessed value of $150,000, this amounts to $14.55 per month. Commercial and industrial property with an assessed value of $150,000 would see a monthly impact of $15.64. Based on the average assessed value of agricultural land per county, the annual tax impact for one acre would be $3.96 in Benton and Buchanan counties, and $3.60 in Blackhawk and Tama counties.

The district will be continually providing information regarding the bond and the positive impact passing it would have on the facilities and overall learning environment as the election date draws closer.