The Wording
NORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 160 SCHOOL BOND
$34,800,000
SCHOOL BOND ELECTION
LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0160
(NORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT 160)
IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Shall Lancaster County School District 0160 (Norris School District 160) in the State of Nebraska (the “District”) issue general obligation bonds of the District in an aggregate stated principal amount not to exceed Thirty-Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($34,800,000), for the purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of renovations, additions, and improvements to the District’s existing school buildings, grounds and facilities, which shall include improvements to the high school, middle school, elementary school, and campus grounds; such bonds to be issued from time to time, to bear interest at such rate or rates, to be sold at such prices and to become due at such time or times as may be fixed by, or determined at the direction of, 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 the District sufficient in rate and amount to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due?
( ) FOR such Bonds and tax
( ) AGAINST such Bonds and tax
Our Explanation
Like many school districts, an emphasis on controlled access is bringing up the new plan to redesign primary building entrances for safety and security. This bond issue would also pay to redesign how bus, parent, and student vehicle traffic is managed.
Time takes a toll – roofs need repairs and replacing. HVAC systems may save money by being replaced instead of frequently repaired. Time also includes a change in standards, especially as relates to the American Disabilities Act.
On the “home” page of
https://norrisbond.com/, you can see the details of planned expansion and renovations, including floor plans. Again, this targets each of the buildings, as well as the outdoor spaces related to parking and traffic flow.
Of course, all these plans, ideas, hopes require dollars! Go to
https://norrisbond.com/financial/ to see estimated monthly effect on property tax – based on $95/year ($7.92/month) for $100,000 house. There’s a “calculator” there for figuring your likely tax increase. Ag land is assessed at 50% of market value. While house market values have been increasing, the school district has decreased the levy. In 2018, it was $1.157 and in 2025 it had dropped to $0.754.
Like all bonding, this creates a 20-year commitment to pay off principal and interest. This would add to other existing bonds in the current amount of $8.8 million.
Further information from the school district viewpoint is available in the
FAQ’s.
Some who oppose the bond issue point to the success of the Norris Titan Activities Complex being completed without using a bond issue and would like to see more in-kind donations as a resource instead of property tax. This complex had been on the 2017 bond issue request that failed.
Another concern opponents express is the danger of “updating to modern standards.” Over the years, educational "modern" ideas have been adopted, using taxpayers money to try them. Then when that idea doesn't do what was promised, a new "modern" idea shows up, which then has to be paid for. An "old" story about open classrooms is discussed here:
Thoughts
