The Wording
BENNINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ELECTION
MARCH 11, 2025
PROPOSITION
“Shall Douglas County School District 0059 (Bennington Public Schools), in the State of Nebraska, issue the bonds of said District in the principal amount of not to exceed One Hundred Twelve Million Dollars ($112,000,000) for the purpose of paying the costs of constructing, acquiring and improving District facilities, which shall include a new high school building and related facilities, providing for necessary furniture, technology, and apparatus for such building, facilities, and additions; said bonds to be issued from time to time as may be determined by the Board of Education, to bear interest at a rate or rates to be determined by the Board of Education and to become due at such time or times as may be fixed by the Board of Education; and
“Shall the District cause to be levied and collected annually a special levy of taxes against all the taxable property in said District sufficient in rate and amount to pay the interest and principal of said bonds as the same become due?”
( ) FOR said bonds and tax
( ) AGAINST said bonds and tax
Our Explanation
Unofficial Results: Just over 70% voted for the bond. Details
Third time is a charm? The last two bond issue attempts to build a new high school for Bennington failed. This one still focuses on building a new senior high school but has scaled back on parking stalls and construction material costs and no longer includes a pool, upgrades on the football stadium, or changes in other school buildings. The district intends to use some existing money to lower the amount being borrowed, to avoid an increase in the levy. Because of increased property values, homeowners might still pay more property tax, but they would not pay out a higher percentage of their home’s value due to a higher levy.
Those who support the issue point out:
- The current high school cafeteria and hallways are not big enough to handle the district’s growth, either growth predicted from current students in lower grades, or potential growth from people moving into the district, so simply adding on to the current high school will not accommodate the need.
- Because of possible delays from winter weather, doing the election now allows enough time for getting the ground ready (platting) and building, so that the building will be ready for the 2028-2029 school year.
- This bond issue is $7 million less than the last request.
- District has paid off some debt.
Those who oppose the issue point out:
- Even though no increase in tax levy is expected short term, this is still taking on more debt which will still require taxes to pay.
- In a short time, another bond request is likely to be asked to accommodate elementary and middle schools.
- Less expensive options exist. They could build an overflow building instead of a full high school.
-They could change the graduation requirements to match state requirements and allow for early graduation by partnering with Metro Community College.
- They could work with local businesses to create internships so fewer students would be in the school.
- Local businesses could support sports programs instead of saddling taxpayers with the cost.
- Bennington will eventually grow, and the overall development is dedicated to housing rather than commercial industry, which means the increased maintenance and operational costs will be paid by homeowners who are already paying very high property taxes.
A vote FOR means the school district residents will be responsible to pay back principal and interest on $112 million to build a new senior high school building.
A vote AGAINST means the school district will need to find alternative ways to support the potential growth of the senior high student population.
This is a by-mail ballot, which means the ballots will be mailed, and they are to be signed (so officials can check signatures) and returned either by mail (allow a week), at a Douglas County drop-box (See list of locations) or directly to the election office (12220 W Center Road, Omaha) or if in Washington County, the dropbox is at the Washington County Clerk's office, 1555 Colfax St, Blair, Nebraska 68008.
