Facility Task Force Provides Project Recommendation to Calamus-Wheatland Board of Education
WHEATLAND, IOWA — A community task force that includes residents from the Calamus-Wheatland Community School District has provided the Board of Education with a recommendation to hold an election on November 5, 2024 to consider a general obligation bond issue.
The district created the task force and partnered with INVISION Architecture and Boyd Jones Construction as part of a thorough review of the district’s facilities in the wake of a bond vote in March 2023 that was not approved by voters. These parties identified and prioritized facility needs that exist today and explored multiple options to address these challenges
Allowing Calamus-Wheatland CSD to provide a modern learning environment for future generations of students and ensuring investments occur in both communities were among the task force’s top priorities. The task force believes its recommendation will meet those goals and address the district’s most pressing needs.
Specifically, the task force asked the Board of Education to allow voters to consider a $7.5 million general obligation bond issue on Tuesday, November 5, that includes a tax impact of up to $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value. This would provide the district with funds for improvements needed at the elementary school in Calamus, renovations at the high school in Wheatland, and a new addition with a connection corridor at the high school.
On a home with an assessed value of $150,000, a property owner could expect a tax increase of $174.59 per year if the bond issue is approved in November.
Bond issues must receive approval from at least 60% of voters to pass.
“We want to thank the task force members for their continued commitment to improving our schools and giving students here more opportunities to pursue their passions and find success,” said Superintendent Lonnie Luepker. “It is important that we have a shared vision for what the future of education looks like in our communities, and that’s why we have engaged with our community members throughout this process.”
Residents of Calamus-Wheatland CSD recently provided valuable feedback through a community survey that was available May 28 to June 13. A total of 259 respondents completed the survey.
Nearly 87% of respondents indicated they are very familiar or somewhat familiar with the school district’s facility needs and the process used to find solutions. Nearly 79% said they strongly agree or agree with the community task force’s priorities.
A majority of respondents (58.7%) said they believe the community is ready to vote on a bond issue to address the district’s facility needs in November 2024, while 20.9% said they believe an election should not be held until 2025.
The survey also asked participants if they would vote “yes” on a referendum question with a $2.70 tax rate levy impact that would address up to $6.255 million worth of improvements. Approximately 66% indicated they would definitely support or probably support this referendum question.
A survey report and additional information can be found at https://www.calwheatbond2024.org.
###