FAQ

The election will be held on March 3, 2020. Polls will be open from 7AM-8PM.

Registered voters can cast a ballot at one of the following polling locations.

• North Polk Middle School, 311 NE 141st Ave, Alleman, IA
• Veterans Memorial Community Center, 264 NW Garfield Ave, Elkhart, IA
• Polk City Community Center, 309 Van Dorn St, Polk City, IA
• Sheldahl City Hall, 803 2nd St, Sheldahl, IA

The following question will be on the ballot: “Shall the Board of Directors of the North Polk Community School District in the Counties of Boone, Polk, and Story, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 to provide funds to construct, build, furnish, and equip a new elementary building and to improve the site; and to construct, build, furnish, and equip an addition to the existing high school building, including related remodeling, and to improve the site?”

• The new elementary building would serve students in grades 3-4 who reside within the Polk City area and all 5th grade students within the district. The building would have approximately 16 classrooms, and will be built to allow for expansion in the future, if necessary.
• The addition to the existing high school would consist of approximately eight classrooms, and be located on the northeast portion of the building.

North Polk has grown significantly over the last several years. Just since the 2016-17 school year, the district has grown by 258 students. Growth is expected to continue with projections of nearly 2,023 students attending in the 2022-23 school year. This growth will put West Elementary, Central Elementary, and the high school at or over capacity at the 2021-22 school year. The completion of these projects will increase capacity levels in order to accommodate growth.

To help manage growth and assist in the long-term planning process, the district sought input from two external sources, which included a demographics / enrollment analysis and an evaluation of district facilities. Findings from these external studies were used to drive decisions and recommendations made by the North Polk Board of Education.

There are several factors that could impact the construction timeline. The district anticipates both projects would be complete by August of 2022, in time for the start of the 2022-23 school year. If the high school addition is ahead of schedule, students and staff would likely begin utilizing that sooner than expected.

The district did not have the legal authority to do so. A school district is allowed to have up to 5% of its total assessed valuation (properties) in debt. As in the 2017 bond referendum, we are seeking the most as legally allowed in order to meet current needs.

A set of additions to increase capacity at West Elementary and Central Elementary is not a viable option when considering the projected enrollment increases in the district. Additions would only be a band-aid to a bigger need.

The estimated cost for the new elementary building is approximately $19,000,000, and approximately $6,000,000 for the addition to the high school. Together, these projects total an estimated cost of $25,000,000.

The district would utilize revenue from the statewide penny sales tax (SAVE) to fund the remaining cost difference between the $15,000,000 in general obligation bonds and the total project cost of approximately $25,000,000. You may recall voting on the district’s revenue purpose statement in the fall of 2019; this was in regards to the use of SAVE funds, and is not property taxes.

The district is simply seeking a continuation of the current debt service tax. The current rate of $4.05/thousand is scheduled to expire in 2036, but with voter approval it will be extended through 2040. Residents will not see an increase in the debt service tax, which is only a portion of property taxes, for the completion of these projects.

On January 24, the North Polk Board of Education secured a purchase agreement for the site of the proposed new elementary school. This thirty-five acre site is located near the area presently known as Technology Park in Polk City, at Vista Lake Court.

The North Polk Board of Education determined that this location was best suited for the new elementary building due to its proximity to existing neighborhoods and anticipated growth nearby.

The North Polk Board of Education identified thirty-five acres of land and an appropriate size to support the construction of a new building and to provide space for future land needs of the district.

Based on findings of the external resources consulted throughout the master planning process, the North Polk Board of Education determined it would be most beneficial if the new building served students in grades 3-4 who reside in Polk City, and all 5th grade students within the district.

This configuration will relieve enrollment pressures at West Elementary and Central Elementary, both of which would otherwise near or exceed capacity by the 2021-22 school year.

The new building will be designed to accommodate an addition if that were to become necessary in the future.

Yes. The high school opened in the fall of 2013, and was designed to accommodate future additions. If approved by voters, an academic addition would be constructed on the northeast corner of the high school. The functional capacity of the building would increase to roughly 750 students, which is projected to serve the building through the 2028-29 school year or beyond.

Since our district and community are highly attractive to families, it is not likely that our growth will stop should the bond fail to pass. There would be several impacts of a failed bond referendum, including:

• Building exceeding capacity
• Increased class sizes
• Increase in construction costs
• A delay of other necessary district facility improvements

It is always important to vote in order to express your opinion.Taxes have a circle of life. At another time in your life, others were likely paying taxes to fund your education, as you might now pay taxes to fund the education of students today.