Highland eyes building improvements with coming bond vote

RIVERSIDE — Voters in the Highland school district will see an additional item on their Election Day ballot on Nov. 5 as the school seeks voter approval for a bond issue that would enable a handful of building modernization plans.

Advocates and district officials say the proposed $15 million bond issue was designed not to raise property tax rates, and would be paid off after 20 years. If approved by voters, the levy would take effect right as the previous bond issue — a $3.7 million debt approved in 2019 — is paid off.

While the $2.70 debt service levy would remain untouched if voters greenlight the bond with at least 60% support, the amount property owners pay each year could still go up if assessments or and property values rise.

“This’ll be tax neutral, we’ll be coming off our last bond issue, and going onto the next bond issue,” Superintendent Ken Crawford said. “To do two of these projects in a row and then not raise taxes, we feel that shows we’re a good steward of the money … the only reason they’ll pay more in their taxes is not because of the bond issue, but because their assessed value went up.”

The list of proposed improvements includes an upgraded commons area at the high school, as well as extra locker rooms, and an expanded multipurpose facility for use as a basketball court and other sports programs.

At the elementary school, the money would pay to construct additional classrooms, add space for counselors, and establish dedicated rooms for individualized education plan meetings and therapists who visit the school to help students with disabilities. The district also hopes to repave its chip-and-seal parking lots with asphalt.

Crawford said the upgrades would help ensure Highland’s schools stayed well-equipped and attractive to new students.

“If we’re going to have our enrollment increase, if we’re going to get people into this district and show people we are serious about our future, that’s what I think is so important about this,” Crawford said. “If we just let our facilities go and we’re just putting Band-Aids on them, how are we going to attract students, and how are we going to give the best possible opportunities for the students that are here?”

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Planning for the bond issue started over a year ago. In August of 2023, a group of school officials, staff, parents and other community members met to start gathering information about potential projects that a new debt service levy could fund. At the time, advocates didn’t expect to hold a vote until 2025. A meeting the following November drew 25 community members, aiming to narrow down an advisory committee’s wish list.

With the facility improvement plans all spelled out, advocates have since turned their attention to voter education efforts. Crawford said volunteers had started a “vote yes” committee to promote the ballot issue. School officials plan to provide information about the proposal at parent-teacher nights, boom nights, and sporting events as well. Crawford said plans were also in the works to set up a Facebook page and mailing flyer to spread awareness of the referendum. Some district officials have also contacted local newspapers, including The Union, seeking to organize Letter to the Editor campaigns.

School representatives can’t legally advocate for or against the bond issue, but they can push for voter awareness and education efforts. Crawford said he hoped to help get the word out about how impactful the proposed changes could be, and hoped that message would resonate with voters.

“My philosophy is that the local taxes you’re paying are the best taxes you pay,” he said. “It goes directly into your community, directly into your school, it directly effects your students and your future students … the local tax, I believe, affects you, and you can see it, and we’re so much more accountable for every dollar that we are spending on this bond issue.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com