BOND REFERENDUM 2026
BOND REFERENDUM 2026
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Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District calls for an election on November 3, 2026, to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $38,000,000 for a new primary building and retiring the current primary building.
THE PROJECT
THE PROJECT
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What's on the Ballot?
What's on the Ballot?
Shall the Board of Directors of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District in the County of Woodbury, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $38,000,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new Primary School building and retire the existing Primary School building.
Construct A New Primary Building
Construct A New Primary Building
Building a new primary school will enhance safety, accessibility, and provide modern learning environments will cost not more than $38 million.
It costs more upfront, but it pays off over time with lower maintenance, better energy efficiency, classrooms designed for today’s teaching, fewer disruptions for students, and the flexibility to grow and adapt in the future.
Retire Existing Primary Building
Retire Existing Primary Building
Updating the current building is estimated at $32 million, and the district would still face ongoing maintenance and repair costs as the facility continues to age.
Existing Primary Building
Existing Primary Building
OPEN HOUSE
INFO EVENTS
OPEN HOUSE
INFO EVENTS
Check back for more information
Check back for more information
August 19th
6:30 PM at the Primary School Building
6 THINGS TO KNOW
6 THINGS TO KNOW
Success By Listening
Success By Listening
With 59.5% supporting the November 2025 bond issue, it demonstrates we are on the right track. Your continued feedback through ongoing surveys has consistently identified the primary building as the district's highest priority.
Long-Term Facility Planning
Long-Term Facility Planning
The community asked for a plan, and the board sought input from a cross-section of the community to develop a long-term facility approach based on community input.
Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal Responsibility
The proposed project remains focused on a new primary school. The estimated cost has increased to $38 million due to inflation, and the district determined that new construction provides better long-term value than renovating the existing building. The updated proposal is expected to carry an estimated tax levy of $2.07.
East Campus Project
East Campus Project
The East Campus is now complete and in use. With athletics successfully relocated, the former ball fields are ready to be retired, allowing the district to move forward with the next phase of its facility plan: a new primary school connected to the existing elementary building.
How will this impact homeowners?
How will this impact homeowners?
For homeowners, the estimated monthly tax impact is based on the assessed value of your home, as shown in the examples below.
$100,000 = $6.72/month
$200,000 = $13.80/month
$300,000 = $20.70/month
$400,000 = $27.60/month
$500,000 = $34.89/month
Try our tax calculator to see the estimated impact for your property.
Existing Primary Building
Existing Primary Building
Why retire the existing building? Updating the current building is estimated at $32 million, and the district would still face ongoing maintenance and repair costs as the facility continues to age. Building new, including retiring the old facility, is estimated at $38 million. Both options require a bond. Investing in a new school is the more fiscally responsible long-term choice for our students, families, and community.
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
How did we get here?
How did we get here?
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Addressing Facility Needs - Our History
Addressing Facility Needs - Our History
Since 2006, the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community Schools has presented a series of measures to voters that would address facility needs.
Results of these efforts have failed:
2006
Failed bond referendum, $15 million, 65% no vote
New High School
The District inquired as to why the bond failed. They heard:
SBL was in poor financial health at the time
Can’t support 5 buildings
33 acres purchased by SBL isn’t enough to support full HS complex
3-5 elementary debt needs to paid before supporting another bond
2008-09
District Facility Committee created a long-term plan (8-10 years) to address concern:
Things the District did following recommendations and concerns:
SBL in “very good” financial health, $3.5 million balance EOY 2021
SBL District Facility Committee recommended closing primary building
SBL Board sold 33 acres and purchased 80 acres for possible future HS and athletic facilities
3-5 Elementary bond paid in full, 2017 (3 years early)
2015
Failed bond referendum, $45 Million, 55% no vote
New High School and Sports Complex
2016
Failed bond referendum, $39 million, 55% no vote
New High School without Sports Complex
2018
Failed bond referendum, $62 million, 53% no vote
New High School and Sports Complex
2019
Failed bond referendum, $33 million, 61% no vote
New Primary School and Baseball and Softball Complex
2021
Failed Voted PPEL, $12.3 million, 52% no vote
High School remodel, addition, Baseball/Softball Complex & Tennis Courts
2024
Failed bond referendum, $54 million, 54.6% no vote
Primary Building, High School Infrastructure, and CTE Building
2025
Failed bond referendum, $37 million, 40.5% no vote, just 7 votes away from a win
Primary Building attached to existing elementary building and retire old primary building
CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS & FLOOR PLANS
CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS & FLOOR PLANS
Primary School Rendering
Primary School Rendering
Primary School Floor Plan
Primary School Floor Plan
Primary School Site Plan
Primary School Site Plan
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