At SBL Schools, we believe our community deserves transparency, open dialogue, and clear facts when it comes to the November 3 Bond Election. As we prepare for this important decision, we are committed to sharing accurate, up-to-date information regarding our facility needs, taxpayer dollars, and long-term planning for our students. Below, we address two recent questions from community members.
Question #1:
Why didn’t we use the $9 million from the East Campus Project to pay for the primary building?
The East Campus Project was part of a long-term facility plan developed with the community engagement team in the summer of 2024. The community did not want a primary building on the East Campus, they wanted it to remain in the middle of town. The best location and most fiscally responsible option was to build it where the old baseball and softball fields are located. The community had also spoken loudly that they did not want bond money being used to build athletic facilities. As a result, the state penny and PPEL dollars were used to fund the East Campus project so a bond could be run for a primary building only. This project accomplished the following community goals:
1. Keeps the primary building in the middle of Sergeant Bluff.
2. No new tax dollars were asked for or used in building the East Campus fields/courts.
3. By placing the new primary building on top of the old fields, it is the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
4. By building the fields first, construction can begin as soon as possible after a bond passing and provide the least amount of disruption to student learning.
Question #2:
Will this 20-year bond be fully paid off before the district can propose or issue another bond for other schools?"
Short Answer:
There is no legal requirement for this, other than the district has a legal bonding capacity..
Detailed Answer:
Throughout our community discussions, Superintendent Janzen and the School Board have reaffirmed a clear commitment: we will not increase the district’s tax levy rate for any additional building projects while this bond is active. This referendum asks for a levy increase of $2.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. Should our community grow significantly over the next decade and require additional facility adjustments, the Board’s pledge ensures that any future request would only involve extending the timeline of the existing rate, not raising your tax rate higher. This guarantees stable, predictable property tax rates for our residents while protecting our schools' ability to adapt to future growth.
We appreciate your engagement and welcome your continued questions as we work together for the future of our district. Answers to these and other frequently asked questions can be found on our Bond 2026 FAQ page
.