The Mid-Prairie School District is just days away from a special election to issue bonds for district improvement projects. 

Voters are being asked if the district should issue $26.3 million in general obligation bonds for several building projects and for the maximum Debt Service Levy rate to be raised from $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed value to $4.05. Superintendent Mark Schneider emphasizes that the Debt Service Levy is anticipated to increase to $3.30, as the state requires special voter approval for the district to levy between $2.71 and $4.05 . Both questions would need to pass with a 60% majority to move forward with construction. 

Schneider explains that one of the proposed projects at the middle school will provide accommodations for students with disabilities, “It will also renovate the middle school Family and Consumer Science classroom. This was the original classroom that was built in the early 60s when the district was built. This space really needs to be renovated especially for our students that are in wheelchairs or have special needs. So it’s really more of an access issue.”

The proposed $26.3 million bond referendum would be part of a $37.6 million project to include the construction of new classrooms throughout the district, an auditorium at the high school, a new middle school gymnasium, renovation of the middle school commons, a new high school wrestling and weight facility, and parking lot improvements at the east and west Elementaries. Washington County residents can vote via absentee ballot at the Washington County Auditor’s Office at the courthouse until 5 p.m. Monday. Election day is Tuesday from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. with polling locations in Washington, Johnson, and Iowa counties. To access the bond referendum website, visit here.