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

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Community School District has completed the first phase of facility improvements funded through its Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) bonding allocation.

Work over the summer included replacement of the north and south parking lots at Union High School, ADA-compliant door stoops at LPC Elementary, and a new asphalt playground surface at LPC Elementary. The district also completed flooring improvements at Union Middle School and DG Elementary.

The Union High School parking lots and LPC Elementary door stoops cost approximately $856,160, compared with a budgeted $1.2 million. The LPC Elementary playground surface cost approximately $43,000, compared with a budgeted $90,000. Combined, those projects came in approximately $390,840 below their budgeted allocations.

The district funded the projects by borrowing against its SAVE allocation. SAVE is funded through Iowa’s statewide one-cent sales tax, with district allocations based on student enrollment. Using SAVE funds for these improvements does not affect property taxes in the district, and the board chose this approach following two unsuccessful bond issues.

“Completing this first phase represents important progress in addressing facility needs throughout our district,” Superintendent John Howard said. “These improvements enhance spaces our students, staff, families, and community members use every day. We are also pleased that this work was completed well within the budgeted amounts for these projects.”

The district worked with Denovo Construction as construction manager for the parking lot projects, along with Wicks Construction, Larson Engineering, Team Services, Mehmert Tiling, and Parking Lot Specialities. Aspro completed the LPC Elementary playground surface work.

“These projects reflect the board’s commitment to responsibly addressing our schools’ facility needs while making careful use of the resources available to the district,” Board President Ben Schemmel said. “We greatly appreciate the work of our project partners.”

Additional projects funded through the SAVE bonding allocation are planned. Upcoming work includes HVAC and roofing improvements, with bidding expected in December 2026 and construction scheduled to begin in late spring or over the summer.