Waverly School District 145 Bond

The Wording

WAVERLY SCHOOL DISTRICT 145 BOND
$64,000,000
SCHOOL BOND ELECTION
LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0145
(WAVERLY SCHOOL DISTRICT 145)
IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
Tuesday, May 12, 2026

           Shall Lancaster County School District 0145 (Waverly School District 145) in the State of Nebraska (the "District") issue general obligation bonds of the District in an aggregate stated principal amount not to exceed Sixty-four Million Dollars ($64,000,000), for the purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of constructing additions, renovations, repairs, and improvements on existing school property for the District’s high school, middle school, intermediate school, and elementary schools facilities, and providing necessary equipment, furnishings and apparatus for the same, which may include, without limitation, all or a portion of the following:

          • Safety and security improvements and enhancements at school buildings and entrances;
          • Classroom renovations and enhanced facilities designed for students with disabilities;
          • Heating, ventilation, cooling, and maintenance improvements at the high school and other district school facilities;
          • Building renovations and improvements to health science classrooms; career and technical education (CTE) spaces;  construction and welding labs; and agricultural lab; and
          • Constructing additions, renovations, repairs, and improvements to and for existing school buildings;

with 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

          Electors voting in favor of the proposition shall blacken the oval opposite the words “FOR such Bonds and tax” following the proposition.

          Electors voting against such proposition shall blacken the oval opposite the words “AGAINST such Bonds and tax” following the proposition.

Our Explanation

The school district tried before, asking for an $89 million bond which the voters rejected.  This request has removed some of the previous wants and is now asking for $64 million. Much of the stated purpose of the money is for safety concerns.  Many of the schools currently have the office in the “middle” of the school.  According to the bond website, all 5 of the school buildings are slated to have "enhanced safety and security" issues addressed which generally means moving the office to the front of the building.  Eagle Elementary, Hamlow Elementary, Waverly Intermediate, Waverly Middle, Waverly High Schools.  The 30-year-old HVAC system at the High School is seen in need of replacement.  Additional classrooms and expanding cafeterias are included, as well.
 
Those who support the bond issue report the results of an independent research firm that indicated 72% see a need for the bond issue.  They point out that replacing an aging HVAC system is less expensive than repeating repairs.
 
Those who moderately support the bond issue recognize the reality of needing to replace the old HVAC at the high school but wonder if the safety issues could be managed in another way than having the office be at the front door.  If the bond could be $40-45 million, with a 10 year instead of 20-year loan would be better.  
 
Those who oppose the bond issue are concerned about the current bonding still being paid off.  Of course, any loan/bond brings the real amount of money needed to a much higher total.  It’s estimated that $64 million + 5 ¼% interest (for example) actually totals $104 million spread over 20 years.
 
If the bond doesn’t pass, the planned improvements will be delayed.