BOND REFERENDUM
Lamoni Community School District
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Strong Schools. Strong Community.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, residents of the Lamoni Community School District will vote on a $5.75 million general obligation bond referendum question.
The revenue provided by a voter-approved bond issue will allow the district to move forward with a series of facility improvements, including:
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A full-scale restoration of the elementary school
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Exterior facade repairs at the middle school
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Safety and security enhancements at the high school
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Updates to mechanical systems at the high school
The proposed tax impact of the bond would be $1.75 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home assessed at $250,000, this would equate to approximately $367.24 per year, or $30.60 per month.
A Thorough Planning Process
Our schools have been at the heart of the Lamoni community, served as a source of immense pride, and prepared many generations of students for success.
In the recent school year, all of our schools earned “commendable” designations for student performance from the Iowa Department of Education. Our high school graduation rate of 96% beat the state average (91.8%).
But while our staff and students achieve great things and find success here, they do so in facilities that were designed for a different era of education—a common problem throughout rural Iowa. Aging buildings, outdated classrooms, limited instructional space, and infrastructure challenges are among the obstacles that make it harder for students to learn and for our staff to provide the educational experiences our children deserve.
Over the past decade, the School Board and administration have invested significant time and effort in studying the facility needs at Lamoni CSD and exploring possible solutions.
Estes Construction completed a comprehensive building and grounds assessment in 2016 and identified millions in deficiencies and necessary improvements.
Lamoni Elementary
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Bathrooms do not comply with ADA requirements.
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Galvanized water pipes need to be replaced, as identified by EMC Insurance.
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The front entrance is not double-entry secure.
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The former kitchen at the building's north end floods.
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Asbestos is located in portions of the building.
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The roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Lamoni Middle School
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The building’s exterior requires facade repairs to prevent future interior damage.
Lamoni High School
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The main entrance is not double-entry secure, allowing people to access the building without stopping in the District Office.
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Mechanical systems and equipment are 20 years old.
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The roof is nearing the end of its lifespan.
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The school lacks a fire suppression system.
More recently, the School Board created an advisory committee to examine the issues and make recommendations to the board. The committee’s 17 members included district administrators, staff members, board members, and community members. This group met four times during the 2025-26 school year to consider and prioritize potential improvement projects.
The committee's priority was pursuing projects that are fiscally responsible and foster community partnerships. The committee considered more than $15 million in potential projects before recommending the final $8.25 million proposal to the board in June.
Making the Most of Our Budget
Lamoni CSD has invested in its facilities in previous years without seeking additional funding or asking residents to consider a general obligation bond. These projects include:
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Constructing the safe room in 2012 that connected the elementary school to the rest of the campus.
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Replacing the Ag building's roof.
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Replacing the chiller at the elementary school.
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Providing integrated HVAC at the middle school to replace window units.Installing air conditioning in the high school gymnasium.
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Replacing every classroom door with a mortise lock for interior locking capability to provide a higher level of protection.
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Purchasing and installing new security cameras.
Our district also generates significant annual savings thanks to partnerships with Graceland University that prevent the district from having to build and maintain a football field, baseball and softball fields, and a performing arts venue.
Paying for the Projects
A priority for the board and administration was funding the facility proposal without placing the entire financial burden on local property owners and taxpayers.
Instead, our plan utilizes a strategic combination of two distinct funding mechanisms: general obligation bonds and state sales tax revenue bonds.
The general obligation bond will appear on the November 3 ballot and, if approved by at least 60% of voters, will provide up to $5.75 million for the project. We also expect to leverage $2.5 million in statewide sales tax revenue our district receives from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund for school infrastructure.
By pairing SAVE revenue with general obligation bond funds, our district can maximize its budget, protect taxpayer investments, and ensure students have safe and modern schools where they can learn and grow.
