Union High School in La Porte City where the district's offices are located. TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

DYSART – In the wake of the Monday, July 21 Union Community School District Board of Education meeting, Superintendent John Howard penned a letter dated July 24 to school district families in regard to the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 4 school bond election. The Telegraph is publishing Howard’s letter in full below.

Dear Families of the Union CSD:

On Monday evening, the Union Board of Education unanimously accepted a petition from community members requesting a general obligation bond referendum question to be placed on the November 4 ballot.

This is the next step in our effort to address many of the facility challenges students and staff face in our schools. We believe the solutions possible with an $18.5 million bond issue would enable us to improve student safety, update infrastructure, modernize learning spaces, and ensure our schools meet the needs of both today’s students and future generations.

Portions of Union High School are more than 70 years old, and the last major improvements occurred at the campus in 2011. Bond revenue would allow us to update the school’s HVAC and electrical systems, replace the roof, and renovate classrooms, the media center, kitchen, cafeteria, and restrooms as well as add a new greenhouse.

The bond issue that fell short of passing in November 2024 included plans for a new auxiliary gymnasium at the high school. After engaging with district residents and conducting a community survey, the gym was eliminated from our plans. In addition to reducing the total bond amount by $2 million compared to the proposal last fall, the estimated property tax impact has been lowered to $2.60 per $1,000 of taxable value.

Under our new plan, the existing wrestling room and boys locker room would convert to a space featuring four separate locker rooms, two offices for coaches, a room for officials, and storage. A new wrestling room would be built and allow us to consolidate activities for our boys and girls wrestling programs in a central area.

Investments in our elementary schools would include upgrades to mechanical systems. We also intend to improve safety and security by installing new fire alarms, door hardware, and exterior public address systems.

At Union Middle School, the bond would allow us to improve the HVAC system, repair the roof, and update restrooms and doors.

The bond would also fund the construction of a new bus barn, which is a need that has been under consideration for many years. The new building would house six school buses and better protect the investments made in our fleet.

Between now and election day, we will share more information about the referendum and what it would mean for our schools and our communities. A new website is being created with details about the proposed bond, its projects, the potential impact on property taxes, and answers to frequently asked questions. We will also host public forums to give residents a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.

Thank you for your engagement on this important issue and for all of the support you provide to our schools and the students we serve. Go Knights!