Fairfield school board collecting signatures for November bond vote

Community members in the Fairfield Community School District are gathering signatures in an effort to place a bond measure on the ballot for Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Once the required number of signatures is collected, the Board of Education will decide whether to call for a $38.51 million general obligation bond vote that would help fund the construction of a new middle school.

Bond referendums must receive approval from at least 60% of voters in order to pass.

“Residents of our district are in the process of collecting signatures, which is one of the steps needed to place a bond question on the November ballot,” said Superintendent Zach Wigle. “We look forward to engaging with our community members and continuing to identify cost-effective solutions that address the facility challenges we face. I am excited to assist the board in leading this process, and as details begin to emerge specific to the project we will be gaining input and identify a more detailed plan.”

The petition language reads as follows:

TO THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTIES OF JEFFERSON, HENRY, VAN BUREN, WAPELLO, AND WASHINGTON, STATE OF IOWA:

We, the undersigned, are eligible electors, reside within the School District and petition the Board of Directors of the School District to call a special election to submit to the voters of the School District the following proposition the purpose of which cannot be accomplished within the limit of one and one-quarter percent of the assessed value of the taxable property within the School District:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Fairfield Community School District in the Counties of Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello and Washington, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $38,515,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new middle school building, including site improvements?

Board members and district administrators will have the paperwork needed to sign a petition. The ACT Office will also have petitions available for eligible voters.

The district and board will share more information with the community in the coming weeks.