New London school district asks voters to say yes on $5.375 million bond

Voters in the New London school district Tuesday will vote on a plan to add additional classrooms, gym spaces and improved parking.

The district hopes voters will say yes to the $5.375 million bond referendum that will allow the district to remodel, repair, improve and furnish both the Clark Elementary gymnasium and multipurpose room into classrooms.

With the money from the bond, the district also wants to add additional gym space to the high school building. Supplemental parking places also are on the list of improvements.

The district is looking to make improvements due to an increase in enrollment.

Elementary-age students now require three separate sections per grade level.

With the increase in elementary students, the Clark gym space is now needed for classrooms, resulting in the need for a new gym space for physical education classes and other athletic uses.

According to the district, a new parking lot is needed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety around the school grounds.

One of the school district's main selling points is the tax levy rate, which currently sits at $2.70.

Voting in favor of the bond will not increase the tax levy rate. It's set to maintain that same rate.

The bond term will be 20 years, but there is a possibility it could be paid off sooner.

Voting will take place Tuesday in the New London Community Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com