On January 6, 2023 the South O’Brien School Board of Education met in special session to consider approval of a special election for a construction bond issue. School Board Secretary Aaron Giese provided certification of the petition submitted to the School Board President, Gina Paulsen. The petition meets legal requirements to advance to an election.
The last director’s election held November 2, 2021 established the base number for required signatures on the petition to bring the bond measure to a vote. The last director’s election brought 576 individuals to the polls. The district is required to have 25% of that number of qualified voters sign the petition. That number is 144. The petition presented to Paulsen was signed by 194 (purportedly eligible) individuals.
The board president submitted the petition to each of the school board members present for their review. The resolution calls for a special election for the school district to issue bonds not to exceed $25,935,000 general obligation bonds. The funds will be used to build, furnish and equip additions to the JH/SH and Elementary building.
Sue McCauley motioned and Richard Radtke seconded approval of the resolution. The role call vote received ayes from all board members present; Josh Rausch, Sue McCauley, Brenda Kruse, Gina Paulsen, John Beck and Richard Radtke. Beth Siebernaller-Woodall was unable to attend the meeting.
The resolution was read as required by law. The question that will be placed on the ballot for voters to answer is:
“Shall the Board of Directors of the South O’Brien School District in the counties of O’Brien, Cherokee and Clay, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $25,935,000 to provide funds to be used to build, furnish and equip additions to the junior high/high school facilities, including an agricultural wing, an industrial arts wing, a science wing, an auxiliary gym, a community fitness center, an administrative office space, with related remodeling and improvements and related site improvements; and to remodel, repair, improve, furnish and equip the elementary gymnasium for district performing arts?”
Individuals have volunteered their time to present information and provide answers to the general public about this construction project. The selected individuals are from each community with the South O’Brien School District. (See frequently asked questions on the back page in this and coming issues for a list of those individuals).
The maximum amount of the proposed bond issue will impose a new tax levy of up to $2.70 per $1000 on property and up to $2.00 per acre on agricultural ground for a maximum of 20 years at current property values.