The Wording
SCHOOL BOND ELECTION
GAGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0034
(FREEMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
Shall Gage County School District 0034 (Freeman Public Schools) in the State of Nebraska issue its bonds in a total principal amount not to exceed $13,995,000 for the purposes of financing the costs of (a) constructing a new building on the District’s existing campus that will include career and trades education and additional classroom areas, (b) renovating portions of the existing school building, including the expansion of the current kitchen and repurposing certain classrooms and areas in connection with the construction of the new building, and (c) purchasing certain necessary equipment, furniture and apparatus for such new building and renovations, and making related site improvements; said bonds to be issued from time to time, to be sold at such prices, to bear interest at such rates, to become due at such times, and to have such other terms and provisions, all as may be fixed and determined by the Board of Education of the District; and
Shall the District cause to be levied and collected annually a special levy of taxes against all the taxable property in the District sufficient in rate and amount to pay the principal of, the premium, if any, and the interest on said bonds as the same become due?
FOR said bonds and tax
AGAINST said bonds and tax
Qualified electors voting in favor of said proposition shall blacken the oval opposite the words “FOR said bonds and tax” following said proposition, and qualified electors voting against said proposition shall blacken the oval opposite the words “AGAINST said bonds and tax” following said proposition.
Our Explanation
In 2006 and 2012 bond issues passed successfully. But in March of 2025 there was an unsuccessful bond election when $26.91 million was requested. That idea included making two additions to the existing building. This new idea requests only $13.995 million. It includes:
(a) Constructing a new building located across the street from the current K-12 building on current green space and part of the parking lot. With the growing interest in hands-on learning, the trades, and the desire for apprentice roles instead of the push for college, the new building will include career and trades education facilities and classrooms. Ag, metals and woods shops, Ag classroom , IT classroom and innovation lab, Two science classrooms, Detached greenhouse.
(b) Renovations in the existing building. With some classes now scheduled in the new building, old classrooms will have new purposes. A major renovation plan includes restructuring the kitchen.
(c) And all the items necessary to supply the new building and the renovations.
As always, bonding typically commits the school district to 20 years for paying back principal and interest. You can calculate the estimated effect on personal property tax at
https://freemanforward.com/financials/. That calculator/worksheet distinguishes between residential and agricultural ownership. Simplistically, a $200,000 valued house would mean a $288 annual increase in taxes.
Those who support the bond point out the increasing need for students to have training for the trades. Though Southeast Community College (SECC) offers dual enrollment opportunities, the 40-minute drive to use SECC facilities presents a limitation. In some cases some of the faculty at Freeman have qualifications that allow students to get college credit in their high school classes.
Some who oppose the bond have a concern about the logistics of students having to cross the road in all kinds of weather. Others would like to see another way than indebtedness to finance education.
If this doesn’t pass, attempts will be made to survive with current facilities, though new ideas would have to be tabled.
