The Wording

SCHOOL BOND ELECTION
CASS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0032
(LOUISVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA

“Shall Cass County School District 0032 (Louisville Public Schools) in the State of Nebraska issue its bonds in a total principal amount not to exceed $37,250,000 for the purposes of financing the costs of (a) constructing a Career and Technical Education building and related site improvements, (b) constructing an addition to the District’s existing school building and related site improvements, which will include new classrooms and a new gymnasium, (c) renovating and improving certain portions of the existing school building and premises, including safety and security updates, a new secure entry, and renovations of the kitchen and cafeteria area, classrooms and the existing gymnasium, and (d) purchasing certain equipment, furniture and apparatus for such buildings and additions; 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

Our Explanation

The current bond, approved by voters in 2011, will be paid off in December 2026.  The 2020 bond request failed, as did the 2023 attempt.  This 2024 bond request was designed with a good deal of public input.  Fortunately, after the major price increases associated with the Pandemic have stabilized some, bond percentages have gone down making the long term expense less, as well as building expenses stabilizing some.

As in most school bond issues, the scenario usually goes through a 7-step process.  

1.   The district recognizes both needs and wants in seeking to improve education.
2.   Research is done involving community input as well as connecting with architects and construction firms to identify estimated costs. 
3.  The Board of Education votes to put the request on the ballot.
4.  The district puts together presentations to explain the needs and wants. 
5.  The Voters decide if they are willing to commit to the increase in taxes to pay for the needs and wants.
6.   If passed, the District borrows money using the bonding system. 
7.   For the next 25 or so years, additional property tax is collected to pay back both the principal and the interest on those bonds.

#1 - Specifically for the Louisville District, the needs and wants fall into the main categories of:

--Improve safety and security for all students and staff, using storm shelters, reconfigure parking lot

--Enhance educational programs and opportunities for all students.

----trades expansion, space for FFA and Ag ed, increase elective classes, additional PE classroom and activity space

--Relieve overcrowded space and serve a growing student population.

----add 11 new classrooms, future space for 8-10 (without a bond), expansion of lunch and commons area

Enrollment has increased by nearly 46% since 2000.  Some of the plans include space to be used in the future, ideally to prevent having to request another bond.

#2- Community priorities:  additional classrooms, CTE (Career and Technical Education), Commons/Cafeteria, Gym, Secure Entrances, Fine Arts, Parking, Wrestling/baseball/Cheer/Dance/etc.

#5 – Voting “yes” means the district is obligated to pay the bonds so the needed and desired improvements can happen.  Voting “no” means the district will need to reassess needs and wants to determine which priorities to follow using current resources.

#6 – The amount of money to be borrowed is up to $37,250,000.

#7 – The impact on taxes is estimated to be $15/month for a house valued at $100,000.  For agricultural land valued at $5,000/acre, impact would be $4.50/year. 

Those who support the bond agree with the district on the needs and wants – especially in expanding what the schools can offer in trades training.  They point out the uptick of student enrollments. Delaying the process would create more cost for doing it later as costs of construction rise.

Some who oppose the bond might like to have “line-item” veto power.  They can see the value of improving the safety systems, but would prefer to not put effort and money into unfinished classrooms.  They are concerned that so much emphasis is on the buildings without declaring how these new buildings will enhance education in the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

A "For" vote would authorize borrowing $37,250,000 million and committing the taxpayers to repay the debt.

An "Against" vote would mean the status of the schools buildings' condition would remain the same.