BOND REFERENDUM 2026
BOND REFERENDUM 2026
Embedded Files
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.
SB-L Spotlight
SB-L Spotlight
In this episode of SB-L Spotlight, Superintendent Chad Janzen discusses the upcoming November Bond Issue.
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
7 THINGS TO KNOW
7 THINGS TO KNOW
School Security
School Security
The primary building’s entrance and vestibule do not provide the same level of security found in SBL’s other school buildings. Improving student and staff safety remains a key priority.
Water Intrusion
Water Intrusion
Water continues to seep through walls in the primary gym, causing paint to chip and creating an ongoing maintenance and safety concern.
Restrooms and ADA Accessibility
Restrooms and ADA Accessibility
Very few restrooms in the primary building are ADA compliant. Renovating the facility would require extensive restroom updates to meet current accessibility standards.
Aging Classrooms
Aging Classrooms
Outdated lighting, difficult-to-clean ceilings, shifting floors, aging carpet, and asbestos beneath portions of the flooring create challenges throughout the learning environment.
Outdated Building Systems
Outdated Building Systems
Plumbing, electrical, fire protection, control panels, and other major systems throughout the building are aging and would require significant upgrades.
Air Quality
Air Quality
Mold was discovered in ductwork throughout the primary building this summer. The ducts have since been professionally cleaned, and the district is working on a long-term strategy to help prevent it from returning that is estimated to cost as much as $250,000.
Why Retire the Existing Primary Building? Why don't we just fix it?
Why Retire the Existing Primary Building? Why don't we just fix it?
Replacing the primary building costs $38 million. The cost to remodel the existing primary building is $32 million. A remodel would take 2.5 years and relocate students in portable classrooms during construction. Either way, a bond issue is needed. Retiring (demolishing) the building is considered the more fiscally responsible long-term plan. The difference between $32 and $38 million dollars for the average homeowner is $5.00 per 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, $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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