ATLANTIC COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND REFERENDUMS
ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 4, 2025
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, residents of the Atlantic Community School District will consider approving three ballot measures that would finance improvement and expansion projects at four attendance centers.
The three ballot measures are:
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A $22.5 million general obligation bond to fund improvement and expansion projects at Washington Elementary, Schuler Elementary, Atlantic Middle School, and Atlantic High School. This will appear on ballots as Public Measure DH.
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An $18.5 million sales tax revenue bond to finance the construction of a new multipurpose activity center at the high school. This will appear on ballots as Public Measure DI.
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A Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS), which outlines how ACSD may continue to use revenue from the statewide sales tax fund (SAVE) for projects such as building improvements, technology, and infrastructure. This will appear on ballots as Public Measure DG.
General obligation bonds require supermajority approval of at least 60% to pass. Sales tax revenue bonds and RPS measures require a majority approval of at least 50%.
An approved general obligation bond would have a tax impact of $1.10 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home assessed at $150,000, this would amount to an annual increase of approximately $72.93. The annual impact for agricultural property would be approximately $1.63 per acre, based on the Cass County average assessed value of $2,007 per acre.
An approved sales tax revenue bond or RPS would not increase property taxes or create a new tax.
TOWN HALL MEETINGS
We are hosting community meetings before election day to provide Atlantic CSD residents with opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the district's facility needs and the three measures on the November 4 ballot.
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Wednesday, Oct. 29: Washington Elementary lunchroom, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
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Thursday, Oct. 30: Atlantic Middle School media center, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
OUR PROCESS
At its annual strategy retreat in the summer of 2024, Board of Education members discussed the Atlantic Community School District’s needs and held a shared belief that the time was right to create a formal facility improvement plan.
As part of this process, the board and administrators met with several agencies. The decision was ultimately made to partner with SVPA. Over the past year, the firm has completed many interviews, conducted building assessments, and provided updates to the board and superintendent.
Through its work, SVPA helped the district create a Master Facility Plan that identified approximately $40 million worth of critical needs.
All of the high-priority projects could not be completed using SAVE revenue alone. For example, the needs in our buildings exceed $18.5 million, which is the maximum amount ACSD is willing to commit from the SAVE revenue bonds. That's why the board decided to seek $22.5 million through general obligation bonds for that part of the project.
The district's proposal uses a combination of general obligation bonds and SAVE revenue bonds to finance the facility plan’s projects, thereby reducing the need for local property taxes to finance all of the projects. The general obligation bond and sales tax revenue bond would provide funding for specific facility projects, while the RPS would authorize the district’s continued use of SAVE funds for purposes such as building improvements, technology, and infrastructure.
By acting now, we can address the facility issues and needs outlined in our Master Facilities Plan. Delaying the proposed projects will lead to higher costs later due to inflation and rising material and labor costs, among other factors. According to the financial services firm Piper-Sandler, $40 million worth of building projects now would have cost $29 million five years ago, and the cost would have been $24 million a decade ago.
OUR PROPOSAL
GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROJECTS
The $22.5 million worth of general obligation bond funds would be invested at four Atlantic schools to:
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Improve safety by adding secure entrances, enhancing traffic flow, and updating bus and parking areas to ensure safer drop-off, pickup, and daily access.
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Create modern learning spaces by replacing outdated facilities and creating new classrooms and specialized learning areas that are conducive to 21st century education standards and expectations.
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The funds provided by a voter-approved bond would be invested in four of our schools and impact students from prekindergarten to high school.
The oldest portions of Washington Elementary date to 1958 and 1962. Under the bond proposal, these areas would be demolished to make way for new additions. Specifically, an east addition would house prekindergarten students, while a northwest addition would serve kindergarten and 1st grade.
A new secure entrance and a new cafeteria would be constructed at Washington Elementary, along with specialized classrooms for art, music, and special education. A new traffic loop is planned to improve safety and efficiency for student dropoff and pickup, and improvements would occur to the bus lanes, parking lots, and the school’s facade.
SCHULER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & ATLANTIC MIDDLE SCHOOL
At Schuler Elementary and Atlantic Middle School, a new skybridge would be built to create a safer connection between the buildings. This project would include a new commons area that would provide needed space for student dining and gatherings.
The restrooms on all three floors of Schuler would undergo renovations, and secure entrance upgrades would take place at both schools.
ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL
Atlantic High School would also receive secure entrance improvements, and renovations would take place in the media center.
Four new classrooms would be added and a new multipurpose gathering space would be created to accommodate small groups.
SALES TAX REVENUE BOND PROJECT
If the $18.5 million sales tax revenue bond measure is approved, it would finance the construction of a new multipurpose activity center connected to Atlantic High School. Sales tax revenue bonds would be repaid with money ACSD receives from the statewide sales tax fund known as Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE).
Currently, the AHS gymnasium is used for physical education, athletic practices and competitions, band and choir performances, and commencement ceremonies. Large events are hosted by school organizations and community groups in the gym throughout the year.
Preliminary plans for the activity center include three standard courts, a mezzanine level with a three-lane track, a large weight room, and a turf area for batting cages and practice. These plans have not been finalized, and all project renderings are conceptual.
The new multipurpose activity center would allow ACSD to:
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Expand physical education curriculum, enhance strength and conditioning programs, and provide space for year-round training.
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Improve practice and competition conditions, provide flexible scheduling that reduces the need for practices in the early mornings or late evenings. and expand options for youth programs and partnerships.
“The activity center would provide year-round training space, ensure all athletes have safe and reliable facilities where they can practice and compete, and build a foundation for long-term success across all programs. Beyond athletics, it would increase school pride, strengthen community involvement, and create opportunities for youth programs and community partnerships.”
—Katie Hedegaard-Moreno, Cheerleading Head Coach
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Host youth tournaments, all-state events, and more large gatherings, which would help provide a financial boost locally that comes from having more people visiting Atlantic. A smaller Iowa community (2,000 population) that recently built a new multipurpose activity center indicated it sees 4,000 people attend youth tournaments every year because of the school's facility with 75% of that foot traffic coming from out of town. Businesses in that community have amended their hours and staffing due to the increased traffic on weekends that include events hosted by the school's activity center.
CONTACT US
Please use this form to submit questions about the bond referendum.