FAQ

2026 Bond Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a bond and a levy?  

A bond is a type of levy.  Generally, the District has three types of levies.  

• First, a general fund levy is what pays for day-to-day expenses (mostly employee 

salaries).  

• Second, the special building fund levy is used for typically smaller capital projects and minor facility needs and capital maintenance in Seward Public Schools.  Due to legal limitations within the special building fund, it is not an adequate source of funds to maintain existing district facilities.  

• Third, a bond levy is used to pay back voter-approved bonds for capital improvements.  Seward Public Schools has typically used the bond levy to fund its comprehensive facility maintenance and improvement plan.  

SPS  uses all three levies in order to maximize its efficiency and meet the educational needs of students and the community as one of Nebraska’s top school districts in the state. 

How do school districts keep up facilities and operations?  

The District is able to pay for some basic facility upkeep through the general fund and special building fund levies.  However, to keep up facility needs we have to utilize bond funds because of limitations on our special building funds.  Even then, certain legal limits on building and general fund levies may make adequate building maintenance impossible.  Therefore, the District needs a bond election to help pay for the maintenance of their facilities and bigger projects such as relocating offices, adding a science wing, and upgrading bathrooms and sports complex.  As a  point of reference, we have not held a varsity football game or held a varsity track competition at the high school since 2008. 

Why is it necessary for school districts to maintain their facilities?  

It is important to the educational environment to keep the facilities well maintained.  In many ways, maintaining our facilities is not significantly different than a homeowner maintaining a house.  If a homeowner fails to do preventative maintenance or allows elements of the home to deteriorate, it may cause additional issues and lead to even more costly problems over time.   And, unlike our homes, school district buildings are subject to traffic and wear and tear from hundreds of students, staff, and community members using our schools nearly every day. 

Why does SPS need to ask for a bond now?  

The district has purposefully created a project list over the last 10 years that were too big to be completed with special building funds. The district wanted to be respectful to the taxpayers by waiting until the middle school bond was paid off. This planful approach allows the district to stretch the value of our community's investment in district facilities and other capital improvements.

How does this proposed bond generate $25 million without a levy increase? 

If the voters approve the bond in February 2026, we project that there will be zero bond levy increase (i.e., we will be able to maintain the current bond levy of around .08 cents without an increase).  That can be accomplished because of careful planning over the last couple of decades.   This allows the district to plan bond issuances in a way that minimizes the levy impact to the taxpayer through refinancing and paying off bonds.  

What will happen if the bond does not pass?  

These needs will not go away so the board would have to consider going back to the voters at a high cost and fewer projects able to be completed because of increased construction costs from year to year. I like the analogy that the best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The best time to get these projects done is now. 

How will the funds from this bond issue be used by the district?  

Improved Safety and Security

• Secure entrance at the Elementary School and High School

• Storm-enhanced classroom additions at the Elementary School, along with ADA bathroom upgrades

• HVAC additions in the High School original gym and the Elementary gym

• Storm-enhanced rooms at the High School

Educational Facility Enhancements

• Four-room science addition

• Vocal music room renovation

• Art room renovations

• Career and technical education room renovations

• Animal Science Building

• Athletic upgrades at High School, including track, football field, bleachers, concession stand, and ADA-compliant restrooms

• Middle School four-lane track

• Plum Creek Park upgrades to Legion Field

How were the 2026 bond projects selected? 

The district engaged JEO Architects for a study, which included a safety audit and a facility needs study.  Those studies helped to develop the initial list of projects.  Subsequently, that initial list was paired down through staff and public input to a final list described above that the district could manage financially without any increase to its bond levy.   

What if legislation changes regarding school funding?

Changes in legislation are certainly possible; however, the election will be complete prior to the legislative session.   Typically, when new legislation is presented, there are grandfather clauses to hold harmless districts that may be impacted.   

Can Public schools take money from private donors?

Yes, if you know of a business or organization that would be a great partner with Seward Public Schools, please let us know.   

Could the practice track at the MS be something that goes with the wellness center/field house?

At this time the Wellness Center is not planning on building a track outside of the current interior track.    

Is there anything in this project list that will help us address future growth of our district?

Yes, the two additional elementary classrooms that are also being used for storm shelters will provide for growth long-term.    The high school renovations will result in open rooms that can address growth in the future.   

How long will the bond be for?   What if we need another one for unexpected growth?

We propose a 25-year bond that can be refinanced over the years.  This Bond issue will sustain us at the current rate of growth.  

What would the levy be if we addressed everything identified in the building analysis?

The Building study completed by JEO identified 30-35 million in projects.   The board, with input from staff and the community, narrowed the projects to 25 million.   25 million in projects will result in a no tax rate increase.  In order to address the 30-35 million worth of projects, the levy would have had to be increased significantly.    

The MS track is a big purchase for just a four lane practice track, would improvements and enhancements a the HS track address concerns?

The High school track updates will certainly make accessibility easier.  However, 100-125 middle school students compete in track every year.  This makes the high school track exceptionally busy.   Having a track at the Middle school would allow these athletes to practice without having to ride a bus to the high school every day.  Track meets would continue to be located at the High School.

What would be the new seating capacity for the football stadium?

Currently, we are anticipating 2500 seats as the capacity.    

What is the growth projection for the district?

The community grows at a rate of near 1% every year, the school district often mirrors this growth.  This steady growth lets us anticipate our needs long into the future.   

What is the timeline for the bond?

Board Resolution - November 10th

Election -  February 10

Final Architectural Design - 4-6 months

Completion of identified projects - 24 months

What has been the community feedback so far?

A survey was sent out to all parents in SPS and was also distributed to the general public through Facebook.  85% of those people surveyed indicated that they would support a bond for the projects as presented.

If the bond does not pass, are there things that will still need to be done?

If the bond does not pass, it will be necessary to reexamine our projects and come back to the Public for their consideration through a bond election.  The projects are needed and unfortunately with inflation, we will get fewer projects done with more money necessary to complete these projects.  

Can you share more about how the tax rate has gone down while the valuations have gone up?                                                                                               

Over the years, the valuation of land and property within the boundaries of Seward Public Schools has gone up.   As the valuations have increased, the School Board has in turn lowered the levy.  For example, in the 2000-2001 school year the levy was $1.20, in the 25-26 school year the levy was .74. The levy is the amount of funds collected for every $100 in valuation.    

The projects on the list will keep us steady for how long?

We believe in being fiscally responsible while also being innovative and planning for the future.  Our yearly building project fund can sustain most projects that we encounter during the year.   We would hope to not propose another bond until the projected one is paid off and maintain our no tax rate increase.

How many Class B schools have turf?

24 of the 26 Class B School Districts currently play on turf.    

I want to make sure I understand all of this correctly, all of these facility upgrades and athletic facilities will not increase our tax rate?

That is correct. We propose $25 million in building updates, remodels, and additions for no tax rate increase.  This is possible through the financial prudence of the Board in paying off the Middle School bond.   

Have we done our due diligence regarding turf and possible injuries for our athletes?

Turf is not the turf that was first placed in Memorial stadium (carpet on cement!)  Moving to a turf field allows our athletes to practice on the turf as well as compete during their games.  Injury prevention is vital to our athlete’s success and the work our students do in Strength and Agility class, summer weights, and before/after school weights has a much greater impact on preventing injuries than the impact a turf field can have on injuries.