2026 Bond Referendum

The Emmetsburg Community School District is facing several facility and infrastructure challenges at West Elementary School, with an estimated cost of more than $6 million. The oldest portion of West Elementary was constructed more than 70 years ago. Some of the many identified needs include:Upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systemsClassroom updates, including new floors, fixtures, and paintExterior improvements such as new windows, siding, gutters, and playground drainageSafety system enhancements, including fire alarms, the camera system, and the PA systemInadequate classroom and storage spaceParking lot improvements to enhance traffic safetyMusic education is currently held in a structure installed in the 1970s as a “temporary” facility. Additionally, West Elementary has one of the smallest playgrounds in northwest Iowa for a school of its size.

After years of evaluation and considering multiple project options, the district has proposed constructing a new 65,000 square-foot elementary school to serve students in grades PK-4 at a new site.Once a new school is built, the classroom wings at West Elementary would be demolished and repairs would be made to the remaining building's exterior. This would allow the facility, which will remain owned by ECSD, and the community to continue to have access to childcare along with before and afternoon programming through an agreement with the YMCA. No public dollars will be used for a daycare.

The different site location identified is at the Kassel family property north of College Drive, across from Iowa Lakes Community College. ​​The District's current bond has been paid off early, leaving no outstanding bond debt. The proposed project includes a property tax rate of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value for a $25 million General Obligation (G.O.) Bond. Total project investment is $30 million. For reference, in 2024 the tax rate impact was $4.05. In 2025, the tax rate impact was $3.25. There will be one (1) question on the ballot in November.

The Emmetsburg Community School District Board of Directors has entered into an agreement with the Kassel family to purchase property for a proposed new West Elementary School, contingent upon voter approval of the district's General Obligation Bond referendum on November 3, 2026.The proposed site is located on College Drive, directly across from Iowa Lakes Community College, and would become the future home of the district's new elementary school when the bond referendum is approved by voters.Over the past year, the School Board has continued conversations with community members, listening to all perspectives while evaluating options for the future home of West Elementary School. Those discussions reinforced the importance of identifying a site that supports the district's long-term educational vision while reflecting community input. As a result, the Board entered into an agreement with the Kassel family to purchase the College Drive property, contingent upon voter approval of the bond referendum.For the full press release, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VJqll0OhGAj4lTEjtjSiY0Dw6kBaVVxQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117341927039691433301&rtpof=true&sd=true

If a new elementary school is constructed, the old classroom wings at West Elementary will be demolished and repairs will be made to the building's exterior. This will allow the facility, which will remain owned by ECSD, to continue offering access to childcare through the previous agreement with the YMCA.ECSD currently offers before- and after-school care options for elementary students through a partnership with the Spencer YMCA. The YMCA Kids Club program is housed at West and open to all elementary students in the district. It provides structured, supervised care for K-5 students, and activities that include outdoor play, art projects, and games in a safe environment.Care is available on regular school days, early dismissal days, snow days, and during holiday breaks. Along with the Kids Club, the plan is to eventually have West also be home to all-day daycare services needed in the community.“This partnership is a major win for our families and our community,” said Superintendent Cory Jenness. “The YMCA Kids Club will support working families by offering dependable, high-quality care where school-age children can safely learn, play, and thrive beyond the school day.”“Daycare is a critical need in almost every community. My wife and I have raised our family in Emmetsburg, and we now have a grandchild. We understand the critical nature of the problem facing our young families. A shortage of daycare providers has put many families in a very stressful situation. Young families need access to quality daycare as they raise their children," said Rick Brennan, President and Chief Operations Officer of Iowa Trust & Savings Bank. "As a lifetime E-Hawk and supporter, the partnership that was developed between the YMCA and the Emmetsburg CSD will bring some great opportunities to our community. As an employer, this is a tremendous benefit for our existing staff members. As a growing company, this will also help as we recruit staff members to Emmetsburg."

West Elementary has served our community for more than 70 years, but it is not equipped to accommodate 21st century education and technology, and the needs of today’s students. West was originally designed to house students in grades 1-4, while preschool students were taught at local churches, and kindergarten at Little Red. Today, the school is home to seven grades and three Special Education spaces, meaning it does not serve the same educational purposes that it did for previous generations. Music education is still taught in an outdated portable building that was placed at the West campus in the 1970s as a “temporary” solution.

Yes. The West Facility Committee, which includes ECSD staff and community members, previously recommended the construction of a new elementary school. This group was tasked with studying the challenges at West and determining a path forward. This proposal reflects years of planning, community feedback, and thoughtful refinement to better meet the needs of Emmetsburg.

Yes. Registered voters residing within Emmetsburg CSD will may vote on the bond issue on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

The proposed project includes a property tax rate of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Estimate your annual and monthly property tax rate impact on the calculator via the tax impact page on this website based on the proposed bond referendum. Source: Piper Sandler.

Since 2018, the district’s overall tax rate has remained steady, ranging from $11.85 (2019) to $12.46 (2021-22) per $1,000 of taxable property value. The current rate of $12.20 is below the projected fiscal year 2026 state average of $13.14, and more than $7 lower than the highest rate in Iowa.

Currently, ECSD's cumulative tax rate of $10.55 per $1,000 of taxable property. With an approved bond issue in November 2026, that rate would move to $13.25. The statewide average is $13.17.

Addressing the needs at West Elementary now will ensure students have access to the learning environments and resources they need to engage in 21st-century learning. Delaying the project will lead to higher costs due to inflation, rising material and labor costs, and increasing interest rates.

This proposed bond would be repaid over 20 years.

ECSD voters will see one (1) public measure on the ballot on November 3, 2026. When approved by at least 60% of voters, the project will advance into the next phases of development, including final design, bidding, and construction.Shall the Board of Directors of the Emmetsburg Community School District in the County of Palo Alto, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000, together with proceeds of School Infrastructure Sales, Services, and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new elementary school, including site acquisition and site improvements, and for partial demolition of the existing elementary school, and to repair and improve the remaining portion of the existing elementary building, including site improvements.→ SEE A SAMPLE BALLOT (COMING SOON)

The election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Absentee voting and early voting will be available. See How To Vote for more details include the resources below. Polling locations can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections-voting. Additional local election information is available from the Palo Alto County Auditor’s Office.

Eligible voters can register by completing a voter registration form and submitting it to the Palo Alto County Auditor’s Office before election day.

Yes. A valid form of identification is required to vote. Details are available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Yes. Registered voters can request a mailed absentee ballot beginning August 25. Ballots will be mailed starting October 14.To receive a mailed absentee ballot, complete and return a request form and return it to the Palo Alto County Auditor’s Office by October 19. Ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on election day to be considered for counting. In-person absentee voting begins October 14 at the Palo Alto County Auditor’s Office, located on the main floor of the courthouse at 1010 Broadway Street in Emmetsburg. Office hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the final day for in-person absentee voting is Monday, November 2.