PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
BOND VOTE | NOVEMBER 5, 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
What current project plans have changed in comparison to the 2023 bond referendum?
After distributing a survey to all Hampton-Dumont CSD residents following the 2023 bond referendum, a significant amount of feedback showed opposition to synthetic turf on the football/soccer and baseball fields, with many survey respondents saying that is why they voted no.
The plans for November 2024 have since been revised and no longer have synthetic turf on the fields. Instead, the plans is to have irrigation placed under the football/soccer field and a new grass surface to be added since it is the original field that has been in place since 1968. The baseball infield will be resurfaced with grass and dirt.
There was also input from community members who said they believed more emphasis should be placed on academic facilities. As a result, our proposal was adjusted to add a renovation of the Industrial Technology, Welding, Agriculture spaces, along with a Culinary Arts classroom addition.
A new gymnasium is NOT a part of the new bond referendum. That project is being completed by using SAVE revenue the district receives from the state.
There was also feedback about parking at the campus due to the footprint of the gymnasium going up and the possibility of an auditorium being added. Parking has been added east of the building and the new plans would add more parking to the south. There will also be parking added around the gymnasium and auditorium.
If the bond referendum passes on November 5, there will be more parking than before at the high school, it will just be in different locations on campus.
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The previous design for the football field included synthetic turf. Is that still being considered?
No. The district listened to the public, and one of the main concerns was the use of turf on the field. The field will be irrigated, regraded, and seeded correctly for a new, safe surface.
The baseball field needs repair. Is that included?
Yes. The baseball field will be regraded and seeded correctly for a new, safe and natural surface.​​
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There appears to be a lot of focus on athletics in the new bond referendum. What amount of the $17 million is planned for athletics compared to academics?
We believe that all resources of the school are academic in nature. Athletics, team sports, and training provide immense benefits to students to prepare them for life beyond graduation. However, the amount specifically used for “academic” vs. “athletic” spaces is:
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Approximately $12% ($1.75 million) of the estimated project cost is for athletic facilities and equipment.
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The remaining 88% of the project is earmarked for academics and contingencies.
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How are these projects different from others currently occurring at our schools?
The facility needs potentially addressed by an approved bond on November 5 are separate from the projects underway at North Side Elementary, South Side Elementary, and Hampton-Dumont High School.
Those improvements are funded with revenue Hampton-Dumont CSD receives from the statewide one-cent sales tax fund, known as SAVE. They include the new gymnasium—which the district broke ground on in July—that will have a seating capacity of 1,500 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2025.
SAVE funds cannot be used to support salaries and curriculum. Additional projects at the high school made possible with SAVE revenue bonds include a new activities entrance and lobby, renovation of the art and science classrooms, updates to restrooms and locker rooms, and site and parking improvements.
New entrances for improved safety and security are planned at North Side Elementary and South Side Elementary, using SAVE revenue. Additional improvements at South Side include a main office renovation and relocation to the front of the building to also include the school’s nurse and principal, a vestibule serving the playground, HVAC systems, and the addition of a bus drop-off and pick-up area and staff parking lot northwest of the school.
The elementary school projects are scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2024-25 school year.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
How were these projects identified?
The proposed master planning projects are based on input from the district’s community facility committee, administrative team, Board of Education, and a community facilities survey. It was also determined through the use of facility reviews performed by architects and engineers.
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Was the community involved in this process?
The Board of Education and administration strived to engage with our residents to ensure they have an understanding of the district’s needs and an opportunity to provide valuable feedback and input, especially in light of the bond referendum in 2023 that did not receive the necessary 60% approval from voters.​
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This process included conversations with our residents, including a community survey. This feedback was incorporated into the new bond referendum that will be on the ballot for voters to consider on November 5, 2024.
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How will these improvements provide our students with a better education?
Businesses in the region are seeking capable workers and have reached out to the school district for assistance. By teaching students real trade skills using 21st century technology, their opportunities for employment in the region are significantly improved.
Agriculture and Industrial Arts programs can be developed with local business partnerships. The science curriculum has evolved significantly in the past 20 years, with an increasing emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) curriculum. Any improvements to the school building/environment will improve learning.
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Will the community vote on the proposed solution to its needs at the high school?
Yes. Registered voters who reside in the Hampton-Dumont Community School District will consider a general obligation bond issue on November 5, 2024. The funds generated by the district's debt levy would be used to cover proposed improvements at the high school campus. The bond referendum must receive approval from 60% of voters to pass.​
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What is required for the referendum to pass?
General obligation bond referendums require 60% (super majority) of the votes cast to be “yes” for the referendum to pass. In recent years, multiple school bond referendums have been decided by less than a handful of votes. This demonstrates that everyone’s opinion and vote is important!
If the referendum passes, when will the project be completed?
If voters approve the bond referendum, the proposed projects are forecast to be completed by fall 2026.
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How much is the bond referendum and for what length of time will money be borrowed?
The proposed bond referendum amount has been set at up to $17 million. The time period is 20 years.
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Does Hampton-Dumont currently have bond debt?
No. The Hampton-Dumont Middle School bond was paid off in May 2024.
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What happens if the construction bids for the project come back higher than expected?
The Board of Education has several options available for moving the project forward if bids come in higher than expected. The district is not allowed to bond beyond the amount approved by voters.
Anyone who has ever taken on a construction project, no matter how big or small, knows that there are always unforeseen costs. In the architecture and construction industry, these are called contingencies. A contingency budget is built into the overall budget. This means our budget is built to be flexible to accommodate unforeseen situations.
Some options include the following:
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Directing the design and construction teams to critically analyze the plans to identify more economical options without sacrificing quality
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Value engineering the original plans based on the district's priorities
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​​How will water drainage and retention be handled at the high school with the new parking lots?
Additional stormwater piping is being installed in the current Phase I SAVE projects that will greatly improving drainage at the site. Additional retention and drainage work is included in the bond referendum that voters will consider on November 5.​
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Will there be more parking space at the high school after the projects are complete?
A new parking lot to the east of the high school was completed in Summer 2024. Additional parking is designed in the bond referendum to the south of the high school and to the west of the new gymnasium being built and potential auditorium.
There will be no parking designed in the current practice football field to the north of the building. The practice field will stay as it is due to the new grass competition field design. There will be slightly more total parking than before construction started. It will just be in new places on the campus.
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What does the district pay to rent the Church of the Living Word?
For the use of the auditorium and storage spaces at the Church of the Living Word, the district has entered into a new five-year agreement. The deals of this agreement are
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October 15, 2024: $25,000.00
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October 15, 2025: $26,250.00
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October 15, 2026: $27,562.00
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October 15, 2027: $28,940.00
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October 15, 2028: $30,387.00
There is a clause stating that if the school district constructs or obtains a structure that serves as an auditorium, the lease could be terminated.
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The district has made budget reductions to the general fund that included staffing. How are you planning to pay for new facilities?
Schools are funded by several streams of money, one of which is the general fund. The general fund only impacts salaries, benefits, and curriculum budgets.
Out of all the funding options schools have, only three can be used for funding building projects or renovations. They are Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), SAVE, and general obligation bonds. These can only be used for projects and not for items covered in the general fund, such as staff salaries.
The district will be using SAVE funds ($13.5 million) to complete the current Phase II projects under construction at North Side, South Side, and the high school.
The district is seeking voter approval for general obligation bonds (in the amount of $17 million) in the November 5 election. If the measure is approved, the dollars generated could only be used for school infrastructure. They could not be used for general fund expenses.
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How much do we receive annually from PPEL and SAVE?
Our annual revenue from SAVE is approximately $1.47 million and our annual revenue from the PPEL is $463,390. These funds are used for school infrastructure, general maintenance, classroom technology, technology, and school vehicles. They do not allow us to complete large-scale projects like we are proposing without the support of the community through a general obligation bond this November.
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​Why should we invest in our district facilities?
School facilities are integrally tied to a community’s economic development and ability to stay vibrant with resident growth. The majority of our high school classroom spaces are from 1968. Our students deserve updated and modern classrooms, along with activity spaces. As districts around us improve their facilities and our community continues to look to the future, our school facilities will play a critical role in our community’s viability.
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Can a school use bond money to give teachers or staff a raise or pay employment-related expenses?
No. Our school district’s funding sources and dollars are dedicated for specific uses.Teacher salaries are paid from the district’s general fund. Bond referendum funds are dedicated for infrastructure improvement only.
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How can we be sure the bond referendum dollars are spent as promised?
Separate line-item accounting records must be kept for all bond-related expenses to ensure the funds are being used legally and appropriately. The district’s finances are audited annually, including the use of referendum funds. The referendum project expenses would be a part of the annual audit until all funds are spent.
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How will an approved bond referendum in November 2024 affect property taxes?
According to the financial firm Piper Sandler, the tax impact of an approved bond would be $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value.
For a $150,000 home within Hampton-Dumont CSD's boundary, that would amount to $14.55 per month.
The Board of Education and administration have a history of prioritizing the needs of its property taxpayers and are careful to pursue projects that are cost effective and practical. Hampton-Dumont CSD's overall levy rate has declined 24.6% since 2010, when it was $17.10 per $1,000 of taxable property value.
The potential new rate of $15.60 with an approved bond in November would still be 8.8% lower than the levy rate 15 years ago.​
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How does Hampton-Dumont's levy rate compare to other districts?
​The chart below shows where Hampton-Dumont CSD's overall tax levy rate for FY 2025 stands compared to districts of similar enrollment statewide.
Why should we move forward with these projects now?
If Hampton-Dumont CSD does not address these needs, our students will continue to be without the space, facilities, and resources they need to receive the best-possible educational experience.
We believe the time has come to address our facility and infrastructure challenges to ensure students continue to have the opportunities they need to be successful. We look to make practical and cost-effective investments in our facilities to ensure a quality educational setting and support the community’s continued prosperity.
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By acting now, the district can strengthen its facilities and equipment for future generations of students. Delaying these projects will lead to higher costs later due to inflation, rising material and labor costs, and increasing interest rates, among other factors.
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What are Hampton-Dumont's enrollment trends?
In the past two decades, the school district's certified enrollment has declined by 11%. Enrollment during the 2003-04 school year was 1,227 students, by 2013-14 it was 1,217, and last year if was 1,091.
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What do our enrollment numbers say about the future of Hampton-Dumont?
Our enrollment trend has experienced a slight decline each of the last five years. However, enrollment increased by 11 students during the 2022-23 school year before we saw a decline of 28 students in 2023-24.
Investing in our schools is one of the most important things we can do to keep current students attending our schools, while also attracting new students and families. The majority of the projects being planned are to renovate our current classroom spaces from the 1968 footprint at the high school, other than the auditorium and the band room connected to it.
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When is election day?
The election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Polling locations can be found on the Franklin County Auditor's website and the Iowa Secretary of State website. Additional local election information is available on the Franklin County Auditor’s Office website.
I don’t have children in school. Why should I vote?
It is important to express your opinion. Taxes have a circle of life. At another time in your life, others were likely paying taxes to fund your education, as you might now pay taxes to fund the education of today's students.
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Who can vote on the bond referendum?
Anyone who lives in the Hampton-Dumont Community School District, is at least 18 years old, and is registered to vote, can cast a ballot on November 5, 2024. A person who is not registered to vote can register at their polling location the same day by providing proof of age and residence.
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I own property in the district but do not live in the district, can I vote in this election?
No. You must be a resident and live in the Hampton-Dumont Community School District to be eligible to vote.
How do I register to vote?
Eligible voters must complete a voter registration form and return it to your County Auditor’s Office before election day.
Do I need an ID to vote?
Yes. A valid ID is necessary in order to cast a ballot. More information is available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.
Can I cast an absentee ballot in this election?
Yes. Registered voters may request a mailed absentee ballot ahead of election day through the Franklin County Auditor’s Office. The first day that voters can request a mailed absentee ballot is August 27. Ballots will be mailed starting October 17.
To receive a mailed absentee ballot, complete a request form and return it to the auditor’s office. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is October 21. Ballots must be received by the auditor’s office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election day (November 5) to be considered for counting.
In-person absentee voting begins October 16 at the Franklin County Auditor's Office in Hampton and Butler County Auditor's Office in Allison weekdays during regular business hours until November 4.
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MORE: See a sample ballot