FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The school board reviewed feedback from a post referendum community survey and received a unanimous recommendation from the Facility Task Force to proceed with the same projects. The facility maintenance needs haven’t changed. The projects focus exclusively on critical infrastructure needs and on health and safety improvements.

Safe and Healthy Spaces

• Create safe and secure entry and visitor check-in (High/Middle School)

• Replace roofing (All Schools)

• Upgrade ventilation and HVAC (All Schools)

• Upgrade electrical distribution (All Schools)

• Replace domestic water piping (High/Middle School)

• Remove asbestos material (Elementary School)

Learning Environments

• Complete the addition of HVAC improvements in all classrooms at both Rockwell and Sheffield campuses that was started with Phase 1 SAVE work during the summer of 2023. This includes fresh air ventilation and temperature control.

• Update current lighting with LED lighting in classrooms to improve the learning environment and reduce utility costs.

Yes. The gyms in both Sheffield and Rockwell are among the most used community facilities in the district. Not only are the gyms used daily as classrooms by students, but they are also frequented by community members for concerts, sporting events, and graduations. Excessive heat in the gyms have been an issue in the past. Regulating the temperature and air quality will make a difference for everyone in our community.

The School District is legally obligated to only use referendum funds as stated in the ballot language. Separate line-item accounting records must be kept for all bond related expenses to ensure the funds are being used legally and appropriately. The School District’s finances are audited annually including use of referendum funds. The independent auditor then turns over the audit information to the state of Iowa. The referendum project expenses would be a part of the annual audit until all funds are spent.

The size and cost of the projects proposed in this referendum exceed the capacity of the school district's annual operating budget. While the district has effectively managed general upkeep and smaller projects over the years, larger initiatives, such as roof replacements and HVAC systems, typically require additional funding. Similar to how homeowners may seek loans for significant renovations, school districts often require a school building bond, which requires voter approval. 

The School District receives money each year from the Federal and State governments, as well as local taxpayers. The Federal and State money mainly pays for everyday things like teachers' salaries, programs, and school supplies. But when it comes to fixing or upgrading our buildings, that's mostly up to our local communities. If there are big costs for building projects, the district needs to ask voters to approve a referendum so they can borrow money to pay for them.

Currently, when visitors are buzzed in, they can continue anywhere in the high school building without having to check in at the office. A new safe, secure entrance ensures that the school can control who enters the premises, reducing the risk of unauthorized persons gaining access to school grounds, making the school safer for students and staff. The elementary school recently upgraded to a secure entrance that meets industry safety standards, but the high school has not.

The school board will choose the project contractors. They will request bids from multiple qualified contractors and weigh cost, experience, and location to make the best choices for the project.

When costs are estimated at this stage of the process, they are based off industry-wide database information that construction companies use (i.e. Mortenson, RS Means, etc.), similar recently completed work by our partners, and at times, conversations with specific suppliers/contractors for specialized work. An industry-wide escalator is used to account for inflation and construction increases for work that would be scheduled out a year or more. If the referendum passes, bids are solicited from qualified companies by the school board and contractor/supplier decisions are made by the board.

West Fork CSD does not currently have a bond rating. A rating for bonds is only in place during the life of bond debt and expires once the rated debt is fully retired. If the November 5 referendum is approved, new G.O. bonds would be issued and the district would get a bond rating. According to Piper Sandler, the district’s financial advisor, the district would very likely receive a rating of A2-AA3, which is very good. This high rating would likely result in a lower interest rate, more bond bidders, and lower fees from service providers.

In early October 2024 the estimated bond interest rate is in the 3.50-3.60% range. Should the referendum pass, the bonds would be sold in spring or summer 2025 and the interest rate at that time is unknown. About 18 months ago the rates were around 4.60%, and 30+ months ago they were at a record low of 1.90%.

That’s exactly what the district has done. It upgraded half of the district’s HVAC needs last year with SAVE funds, which did not raise taxes. This referendum would complete the HVAC work so that all the district’s facilities would have improved air quality.

However, the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars is to complete multiple projects at once. The cost of materials rises each year and contractors often offer lower prices for larger projects. Additionally, getting everything done at once minimizes disruptions for students and staff.