Hinton Community School District is calling for an election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, asking voters to consider a single ballot question: to authorize general obligation bonds not to exceed $8.9 million for essential facility infrastructure and learning environment improvements.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters in the Hinton Community School District rejected the bond referendum question presented on the ballot. Following the vote, the unofficial election results are 460 YES (58.75%) and 323 NO (41.25%).
Superintendent Ken Slater expressed his appreciation for the community’s engagement throughout the process:
“While we are disappointed in the outcome, our dedication to providing safe, functional, and future-ready learning spaces remains strong. We will continue to work together to explore potential solutions that address our district’s most pressing facility needs.”
Slater added:
“We are grateful to the community members, staff, and students who took time to learn about the proposal and share their input throughout this process. These conversations have strengthened our shared vision for the future of Hinton schools.”
The district will continue to evaluate facility priorities and consider next steps as part of ongoing planning efforts.
Over the past several years, the District has completed major improvements—without raising taxes—by strategically using SAVE and PPEL funds. These efforts have addressed aging infrastructure while keeping the tax burden low.
After two prior referendums did not pass in 2023 and 2024, the November 2025 vote is our last opportunity to finish what we started, and ensure Hinton schools are prepared to serve our students well into the future.
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
🗳️ Satellite Voting is also available: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Stop by to learn more and vote—all in one visit!
🕡 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 High School Gym
🎶 Visit our referendum table before or after the choir/band concert!
Thank you to everyone who helped shape this plan. Through meaningful feedback from students, staff, and community members, we developed a clear, conservative roadmap focused on what matters most: safety, function, and future-ready learning spaces.
Engagement included:
Three community-wide surveys
Community listening sessions and School Board forums
Facility Advisory Team meetings
Open house events
Hinton Community School District has used SAVE and PPEL funds to complete major improvements without raising taxes—reducing the long-term tax burden while addressing essential needs.
Completed projects include:
Roof replacements
Transportation upgrades
Technology improvements
And more!
These smart investments reflect a commitment to using available resources strategically and responsibly.
What’s needed now are infrastructure repairs—not wish-list items, but essential improvements that impact student safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility.
Alongside these, a few targeted learning space enhancements will ensure that environments remain functional and and future-ready to support evolving student needs.
Improve heating and ventilation systems throughout the building
Remove old asbestos-containing floor materials and install new flooring
Replace failing windows (originals from 1922–1989)
Upgrade outdated electrical panels and distribution systems
Repair damaged brickwork to protect the building envelope
Replace aging exterior doors
Install energy-efficient lighting fixtures throughout the building
Renovate restrooms to meet ADA accessibility standards
Install new ceilings in the music wing, multipurpose room, and office/library areas
Renovate shop, art, and science classrooms to support hands-on learning
Add two classrooms to accommodate growing enrollment
Without approval, critical updates will be delayed. Aging systems could become more expensive to maintain or fail unexpectedly—impacting learning, safety, and long-term costs. The District may face difficult budget trade-offs that affect students and staff.
See the projected tax impact through easy-to-read charts, summaries, and online calculators.
Calculate your residential or agricultural property tax by using the online calculators
View the Summary of Referendum Tax Impact provided by the District Financial Advisor
*Actual average assessed valuation for 1 acre land: Plymouth County = $2,115/acre
For over a decade, Hinton Community School District has completed major facility improvements using SAVE and PPEL funds—without raising taxes. Thanks to this fiscally responsible approach, the district’s total property tax levy has remained steady and below past highs.
As shown in the graph, the retirement of existing debt caused a dip in the levy rate in FY2026. If voters approve the 2025 bond, the rate would increase by $1.96 from that dip, but only $1.07 more than the 2025 level, before the drop.
This planned timing helps minimize the long-term tax impact while allowing the district to address critical facility needs.
* The drop in 2026 reflects the retirement of existing debt.
We’re excited to offer in-person early voting right here in the community!
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Where: Hinton Elementary School // 315 W Grand St, Hinton, IA 51024
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to learn more and cast your vote in one visit. The Referendum Open House will take place at the same location from 6:30–8:00 p.m., so feel free to stop by, ask questions, and vote!
For primary and general elections, absentee ballots will be available at your County Auditor’s office no earlier than 20 days before the election.
A registered voter may submit a written application to their County Auditor for an absentee ballot. The ballot must be received by the voter’s County Auditor no later than 5:00 on October 15. Click the button below to open and print the request form.
When: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
If you are not sure where to vote on election day, please visit the website below:
While the 2024 SAVE-funded project addressed some major facility needs—like HVAC, lighting, and flooring—funding limitations meant not all critical upgrades could be completed.
Several essential updates still remain. Passing this referendum will:
Ensure the building remains safe, healthy, and functional
Improve classrooms to meet current teaching and learning needs
Address aging infrastructure now, before small problems become larger, more expensive ones
This referendum is the final step in a long-term, fiscally responsible plan to keep Hinton’s schools safe, efficient, and ready for the future.
Yes. In Summer 2024, the District completed a $10 million facility improvement project funded through SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) dollars. This work included:
Upgraded HVAC and air conditioning in key areas
Replacement of select flooring and lighting
Electrical system updates
These improvements were completed on time and on budget. SAVE funds come from the state’s one-cent sales tax, which means they do not increase local property taxes.
However, due to funding limitations, the 2024 SAVE project could only cover the most urgent needs in select areas. Many additional HVAC, lighting, and flooring improvements remain across the district. These were not included in the 2024 work and are part of the 2025 referendum proposal to complete the critical upgrades district-wide.
The proposed bond referendum is designed to finish what SAVE and PPEL funds could not cover—ensuring safe, functional, and future-ready spaces in every building.
Needed updates will be delayed indefinitely, forcing the District to continue operating with aging, inefficient systems. This could result in:
Higher long-term costs due to emergency repairs or rising construction prices.
Strain on general operating budgets, potentially pulling funds away from educational programs.
Safety and accessibility concerns going unaddressed.
Disruptions to learning and daily operations as facilities continue to deteriorate.
Without voter support, Hinton risks falling behind on essential infrastructure that directly impacts student learning, staff efficiency, and long-term district sustainability.
This year’s proposal focuses only on essential infrastructure and classroom improvements, resulting in a lower overall tax impact compared to the 2024 plan.
Shaped by Community Feedback:
After the 2024 referendum did not pass, the District gathered feedback through surveys, forums, and meetings. This revised plan reflects what community members said they would support—a more focused, fiscally responsible solution.
The project list was developed through a combination of community surveys, finance committee input, and Board discussions following the 2023 and 2024 referendums.
The plan was intentionally shaped to reflect what the community values and is willing to support, with a strong focus on responsibility and need.
Key criteria included:
Focused on needs—not wants
Prioritized student safety, health, and learning environments
Excluded nonessential items like parking expansion or cosmetic-only upgrades
This final plan reflects a refined, fiscally responsible approach shaped by broad community input.