Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District calls for an election on November 4, 2025, to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $37,000,000 for a new primary building attached to the elementary and retiring the current primary building.
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WHAT'S THE BALLOT QUESTION?
WHAT'S THE BALLOT QUESTION?
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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 $37,000,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new Primary School building as an addition to the Elementary building (including demolition of the existing Primary building) and improve the site?
THE PROJECT
THE PROJECT
Construct Primary Building Attached to the New Primary Building
Construct Primary Building Attached to the New Primary Building
Building a new primary school will enhance safety, accessibility, and provide modern learning environments will cost not more than 37 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
The school has a wide range of urgent updates needed, including a secure entrance and office redesign, full ADA accessibility, six new classrooms (to replace classroom space lost due to ADA accessibility), upgraded HVAC, electrical, lighting, fire protection, doors, windows, ceilings, floors, and casework, a safe seclusion room, accessible playground equipment, new kitchen refrigeration, and repaired floor drains.
Preliminary estimates place the cost of completing these renovations between $27 million and $29 million, depending on the final scope and potential issues that may arise in older buildings.
Existing Primary Building
Existing Primary Building
Inside the Current SB-L Primary School: Why a New Building is on the November 2025 Ballot
Inside the Current SB-L Primary School: Why a New Building is on the November 2025 Ballot
OPEN HOUSE
INFO EVENTS
OPEN HOUSE
INFO EVENTS
Check back for more information
Check back for more information
SB-L Bond Committee Meeting
SB-L Bond Committee Meeting
September 10th at 6PM
SB-L High School
6 THINGS TO KNOW
6 THINGS TO KNOW
What is the scope of the project?
What is the scope of the project?
Phase I of the strategic plan will be brought to a vote on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Project scope will include:
Primary building addition attached to the existing elementary school, allowing shared spaces in the kitchen and art areas.
Retire the existing primary building.
Why is the district retiring the primary building?
Why is the district retiring the primary building?
Regardless of how we repurposed the existing primary building, the district would face ongoing expenses. Combined with escalating costs, retiring the building represents the most fiscally responsible path forward.
How does this bond issue differ from the one proposed last year?
How does this bond issue differ from the one proposed last year?
With 55.5% supporting the November 2024 bond issue, it demonstrated we are on the right track. Your continued feedback, through ongoing surveys, has consistently identified the primary building as the district’s highest priority. Therefore, we are only implementing the primary building in Phase I. We are asking for a $1.93 tax rate increase as compared to $2.85, a 32% decrease.
Why did the district move forward with the East Campus project?
Why did the district move forward with the East Campus project?
The East Campus Project moved forward as part of the long-term facility plan. Through community feedback, this project was completed without asking taxpayers for any additional funds. With the completion of the project, we’re ready to advance the next critical phase of our comprehensive facility master plan.
Can't we use the Statewide-Penny to build a building like Sioux City?
Can't we use the Statewide-Penny to build a building like Sioux City?
No. Large districts generate significantly more money as the penny is allocated on a per-student basis. For large-scale projects, the district must receive voter approval through a bond referendum, allowing it to borrow the necessary funds, much like a home mortgage.
How will this impact homeowners?
How will this impact homeowners?
$100,000 = $5.79/month
$200,000 = $13.40/month
$300,000 = $21.02/month
$400,000 = $28.63/month
$500,000 = $36.24/month
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, $54million, 54.6% no vote
Primary Building, High School Infrastructure, and CTE 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
COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM PLAN
COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM PLAN
The school district remains committed to the 3-Phase Long-Term Master Facility plan developed in conjunction with a community engagement team. As we continue to move forward with the plan, the feedback from the community continues to be that the primary building should be the major focus of immediate plans to replace district facilities.
-Chad Janzen
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