FAQs

How is a mail-in election conducted?

Each registered voter residing within the Louisville Public School District will receive a ballot by mail at the address where they are registered to vote (this is your primary residence for those who own multiple properties within the district). No polling places will be open for voting.

The Cass County Election Commissioner will mail ballots between August 21 - August 25. Your ballot needs to be received by September 12, 2023. MAKE SURE TO SIGN THE BALLOT ENVELOPE SO YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

If you will be absent from your residence between mid-August and September 12, please contact the Cass County Election Commissioner's office at elections@casscounty.ne.gov for information on absentee voting.

*There is no general election in 2023.

When do I vote?

This is a mail-in election. Your ballot must be received by the Cass County Election Commissioner by 5pm on September 12th, 2023. Mail your ballot in the return envelope provided. Please allow time for mail processing. The suggested postmark deadline is September 6th. Do not forget to stamp your envelope and sign the back. Failure to sign the envelope will result in your vote not being counted.

What is the deadline to register to vote in this election?

New voter registration by mail must be postmarked by August 25th. You may also register online by August 25th, or in person at the Cass County Election Commissioner’s office through September 1st.

What will the project look like?

The district's top need is for additional space to accommodate growth that is happening now.  The project includes new and improved spaces: 11 new classrooms, a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, new Career and Technical Education building (CTE – see next question for more information on these programs), new secure entries, and a new competition gym that includes seating for 1,000 people. 

What is CTE

CTE stands for Career and Technical Education, and refers to secondary programs that allow students to explore career opportunities directly after high school graduation. These programs have been referred to as Skilled Trades, Vocational Education, Vo-Ag, Industrial Technology, or Shop Class in the past.

Louisville Public Schools currently offers programs in woods, metals, automotive, and business / computer science. Approximately 30 students each year are missing opportunities in these areas of study due to space limitations and safety concerns. The district has discussed partnerships with Southeast Community College and the Omaha Steamfitters Union, however this cannot move forward because space is not available for these programs.

What is the schedule for the project if the bond passes? When will the project be complete?

Boyd Jones and APMA have provided this high-level schedule which shows completion in time to start the 2026-27 school year.

Who decided what the district needs for the future?

The district has been meeting with community stakeholders for over five years. In 2019, LPS began working with Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture and Boyd Jones Construction on needs analysis and project planning.

During that time, we have:

• Met with the school board and other district stakeholders to understand a collective vision for the future of LPS.

• Engaged teachers, staff, and district community members to understand what they want and need for their students.

• Held meetings with specific "user groups" like kitchen staff, vocational education, performing arts, and maintenance staff to gain a full understanding of the condition of existing facilities.

• Listened to the concerns and ideas brought forth by community members through a series of meetings.

Use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to date:

ESSER II: $125,837

• K-12 Chromebooks - $57,888 

• Mitigate air filtration system at elementary & middle schools - $5,000

• K-12 online curriculum  - $19,375

• Staff Laptops - $15,345

• Classroom furniture - $22,425

• Teacher curriculum guides and assessment software - $5,804

ESSER III:  $176,533

• K-12 ELA Curriculum (instructional materials) - $73,033

• Replaced West Chilling Tower - $103,500

What facility improvements have been completed recently?

• Boiler system replaced in 2019-2020

• Cooling was added to Large Gym in 2021

• Stormwater and drainage issue at football field fixed

• Temperature control system replaced 2019-2020

• Cooling in small gym

• Indoor air quality enhancements - Ongoing

Has the school really utilized all the current space?

Yes, every space currently available is being used to full capacity. In order to accommodate student growth, since 2015, the district has converted numerous areas throughout the building into much needed classroom space. With one remaining classroom and possible changes to the facility and the need for additional new staff, our potential max capacity sits at 725 students.       

• Room 135 Art room - converted to an elementary classroom

• Room 140 - Elementary computer lab converted to a classroom

• Room 141 - Converted from a middle school to elementary classroom

• Room 213 - Converted to a classroom

• Room 220 - Converted from a tech room/office space to a classroom

• Room 240 - Meeting room/office space - converted to a classroom

• Room 262  - Storage space converted to a classroom

• Room 260 Cub Club - converted to classroom space - was a space that served as the before and after school program that served over 50 students and their families (20% of the elementary)

What is the project budget and tax impact?

The Louisville school board and superintendent have been talking with fiscal agents about options for financing the project. If the school board votes to move forward with a bond initiative, information will be published on the budget and how to calculate your personal tax impact.

The project budget is $32.7 million. To determine how this would affect your property tax amount, visit this link and see your taxable valuation.

When will the last bond be paid off?

The previous bond is scheduled to be paid off in 2026. 

Will costs increase if we don't do this now?

In a normal construction economy, we would expect to see 3-5% cost escalation per year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain challenges pushed that escalation rate up to 15% or more per year. Boyd Jones is starting to see that rate ease back down, and many industry experts expect it to return to the normal 3-5% range within the next year. However, should this bond pass, we will not occupy the space for another 3 years. Waiting for the rates to normalize would not help the current situation of the district.

The previous bond proposal, in 2020, had a budget of $30 million and a cost of $240 / square foot. The current bond proposal has a budget of $32.7 million and a cost of $335 / square foot, which reflects the high inflation rates we’ve seen over the past three years. The scope of the project has been reduced significantly, yet the total cost is higher. Delaying the project further will only lead to additional cost increases.  

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