Mid-Prairie patrons who are unable to go to the polls on Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., can cast absentee ballots at the Washington, Iowa or Johnson County Auditors Offices in the Courthouse up to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28.

Residents of the Mid-Prairie school district must be 18 years old to vote. If you are not registered to vote, you can do so at the polls on March 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Mid-Prairie’s March 1st Bond Referendum

1)  What construction projects will be funded by the bond issue?

A.  Construct new classrooms at the Middle School, East Elementary, and High School.

(This will also create space at West Elementary because the 2 sections of Kindergarten at West will be moved to the new classrooms at East.)

B.  Renovate the Middle School Commons Area and the Middle School Family & Consumer Science Classroom.

C.  Construct a new Gymnasium and Locker Rooms at the Middle School and renovate the old gym and locker rooms into additional classrooms, offices, and storage areas.

D.  Construct a new Auditorium at the High School.

E.  Construct a new Wrestling and Weight Facility at the High School.

F.  Install new lights on the Softball Diamond and repair and resurface the High School Track.

G.  Reconfigure and make improvements to the Parking Lots at East, West, and High School.

2)  How much is the referendum?

The referendum is for $26,300,000.  The total cost of the items above for design, construction, and bonding is estimated to be $37,600,000.   Sales tax revenue and private contributions will make up the difference.  Professionals from architectural firm Shive-Hattery, construction managerial firm Carl A. Nelson & Co., and bonding firm Piper Sandler, determined the estimated costs.

3)  Where did this list of projects come from?

A district facility committee started its work in April 2018 with 52 members.  After almost two years of work, committee representatives presented their recommendations to the Mid-Prairie School Board in January 2020.   COVID stopped progress on these recommendations.   However, the committee’s recommendations were put back in front of the school board in February 2021 and the school board determined the final list in November 2021.

4)  From the list of needs generated by the 2018 Facilities Committee and presented to the School Board, how many will be addressed through this bond referendum?

The school board is addressing most of the needs on the list.  A few items were determined not to be an immediate need (new office area at West, new gym at East) and the board members decided a few items could be completed in the future using Sales Tax/PPEL funds (MS parking lot, renovation of HS classrooms, kitchen, and cafeteria).

5)  If the two questions of the bond referendum pass, how will it affect my property taxes?

Property taxes for bond issues are calculated on net “taxable” value – not “assessed” or “market” value.  The appropriate rollback and homestead credit need to be applied before calculating the total annual tax.  If the referendum passes, Piper Sandler has estimated the property tax increase to be $0.60 for every $1,000 of taxable value.  This is the same increase as asked for in the 2014 bond referendum that passed with 74% “yes” votes for $10.6 million.

For a homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000, the annual increase in total property taxes, after the rollback to 54.1% and the homestead credit is applied, is $29.61 a year – or $2.47 a month.

For a commercial property owner with a building assessed at $100,000, the annual increase in total property taxes, after a rollback to 90% is applied, is $54.00 a year – or $4.50 a month.

The agricultural ground is taxed on its “productivity,” not “market” value.  According to the Washington County Assessor, the average CSR productivity value of farm ground in the Mid-Prairie School District is 65.02.  If you multiply this by the assessor’s unit price of $17.1319, the average productivity value in Mid-Prairie is $1,114.00 per acre.  Therefore, the annual increase in total property taxes to an average acre in the Mid-Prairie district, after a rollback to 89.0% is applied, is $0.59 per acre a year.

6)  How does Mid-Prairie’s total tax rate compare to other school districts?

Debt ServiceTotal

LevyLevy

Mt. Vernon $3.28 $17.89*

Clear Creek-Amana $4.05 $17.06*

Solon $2.25 $16.28*

Washington $1.59 $16.13*

West Branch $3.25 $15.21*

Iowa City $1.79 $14.85*

Williamsburg $2.70 $14.41*

West Liberty $0.00 $14.23*

Mid-Prairie (Estimated - If Bond Issue Passes) $3.30 $13.83

Mid-Prairie (Current) $2.70 $13.23

Highland $1.50 $13.01

Lone Tree $2.62 $12.82

Keota $0.00 $12.20*

English Valley $0.00 $11.62

* - Denotes districts having a dedicated auditorium space.

7) What is the breakdown of the $13.23 tax rate?

$8.38 goes for the General Budget - Employee salaries, benefits, instructional materials, supplies, purchased services

$0.52 goes for the Instructional Support Levy - Special levy for technology and curriculum materials

$0.88 goes for the Management Levy - Insurance, workers compensation, early retirement incentives

$0.75 goes for the Physical Plant & Equipment Levy - New buses, building repair and maintenance, technology

$2.70 goes for the Debt Service Levy - Repayment of existing debt

8)  Why does the referendum ballot contain two questions?

There will be two questions on the ballot.  One will ask permission to sell 26.3 million dollars in bonds and the second will ask permission to raise the debt limit for the district to $4.05.  Both questions must pass by 60% for construction on these projects to proceed.

9) What happens if the first question asking permission to sell 26.3 million dollars in bonds passes by 60% but the second question asking permission to raise the debt limit to $4.05 does not get the 60% needed?

If this happens, the district will not get to proceed with the construction projects as proposed and the school board will need to reassess the situation.

10)  Why does the district need to raise the debt limit?

With voter approval, Iowa law allows school districts to levy for debt service up to $2.70 per thousand dollars of taxable value.  Iowa law also allows a school district to levy between $2.71 and $4.05 with special voter approval.  Currently, Mid-Prairie is levying $2.70 for debt service.  If this bond issue passes, the new levy is predicted to increase to $3.30, an increase of $0.60.  To levy $3.30, voters will need to approve raising the limit to $4.05.   This is the purpose of the second question.

11) Can the school board authorize new construction projects using the funds that could be generated from the unused debt service levy between $3.30 and $4.05?

No, the school board can only pursue the construction projects contained on the ballot question.  To use additional funds for other construction projects from the debt service levy, the school board would have to come back to the district voters for another bond referendum.  The voters are in complete control of what the debt service levy can be used for.

12)  How many Iowa school districts have a debt limit above $2.70?

There are 82 Iowa school districts out of 328 where voters have approved a debt limit above $2.70.

13)  What area school districts have a debt limit higher than $2.70?

Anamosa, Clear Creek-Amana, College Community, English Valley, Mt. Vernon, Solon, WACO, West Branch, and Wilton all have debt service limits above $2.70.

14)  After the referendum is passed, can the list of construction projects be changed?

No, it can’t be changed.  The district is obligated to construct only the projects that are specified.

15)  What happens if the construction bids for the projects come back higher than the funds available?

If the two questions of the bond referendum pass, committees with wide district representation will be formed to work out final designs for the major projects.  If the construction bids come back higher than the funds available, the design committees will reconvene with the architect and construction manager to investigate options.

16)  If the two questions of the bond referendum pass, what will the savings be to the district because it no longer will have to lease space?

The district currently leases two portable classrooms for a total of $35,050 a year.  Other possible savings could come from being able to have more practices in the new Middle School Gymnasium instead of the Kalona or Wellman Ys.

17)  When would construction start if the bond referendum passes on March 1?

If the two questions of the referendum pass, planning for the athletic improvement projects will start immediately.  Construction on the non-auditorium projects is anticipated to start in late fall 2022 or early next spring 2023.  The construction of the auditorium will probably not start until late fall 2023 or early spring 2024.

18)  What is the predicted interest rate on the bonds?

Matt Gillespie of Piper Sandler, the district’s bonding firm, estimates that the anticipated average rate for the bonds would be between 3.0% and 3.5% depending on when they are sold.

19)  Does the bond referendum include funds for furnishings?

Where appropriate, a very small portion of the funds would be used for furnishings.

20) Why does the district need more classrooms at the attendance centers?

Unlike the majority of Iowa school districts, Mid-Prairie has shown slow growth throughout the last ten years.  Since 2015, Mid-Prairie’s certified enrollment has increased by 49 students.  In that same period of time, the total number of served students increased by 118 students.  In the past, Mid-Prairie has traditionally had 4 or 5 sections of each grade.  Because of growth, Mid-Prairie currently has six sections of each grade from Kindergarten through third grade.  Additionally, the district has added classes and programs to the secondary schools.  Computer science, a work skills class, and a program for special needs students that have graduated but are still working on completing transitions goals contained in their IEP are just some of the examples of opportunities that Mid-Prairie students have now that they didn’t have five years ago.

21) Why are a new gymnasium and locker rooms being proposed for the Middle School?

The current gymnasium was built in the mid-1960s.  Because our grade sizes have gotten larger since then, it is not large enough for physical education classes, athletic team practices, and games.  A new high school-sized gym floor, with new locker rooms and a temporary curtain down the middle, will allow two grades to practice at the same time instead of just one.  Some additional seating capacity will allow ample spectator room.  The old gymnasium and locker rooms will be converted to additional classrooms, offices, and storage areas.

22) How many conference schools and schools in our area have an auditorium?

Nine of the 13 other conference schools have a dedicated auditorium. (Anamosa, Camanche, Cascade, Durant, Monticello, Northeast Goose Lake, Tipton, West Branch, and West Liberty).  Four do not (Bellevue, North Cedar, Regina, and Wilton).  Additionally, the area school districts of Clear Creek-Amana, Keota, Iowa City, Mt. Vernon, Solon, Washington, and Williamsburg have dedicated auditoriums within their high schools.  The seating capacities of the conference auditoriums range from 270 to 700 seats.

23) What will a new auditorium be used for?

In addition to almost daily use by the school district, a new 600 seat auditorium is seen as a community asset that could be used for a wide variety of public uses.  Dance recitals, public meetings, weddings, uses by churches and business groups, class reunions, community workshops and presentations, area movie nights and fine arts events, town celebrations, booster club functions, youth club activities, and use by the Washington County Y are just some of the non-school sponsored uses that are envisioned.  Mid-Prairie has demonstrated in the past that it values the public using its facilities.  A new auditorium being used frequently by the community is desired.

24)  Why does Mid-Prairie have a Home School Assistance Program (HSAP)?

Iowa law allows school districts the option of providing support to families that choose to home school their children.  By having a program, Mid-Prairie can provide certified teachers to the families to consult on curriculum and instructional issues.  Mid-Prairie can also provide families support services like assessment and resource materials to aid instruction and accountability. 

25)  Why does the HSAP need space for its program?

In addition to the services listed above, our HSAP teachers regularly teach weekly classes and offer enrichment activities to the families it serves. Throughout the week, the Home School Education Center is a busy place. On Mondays, 119 middle school and high school students attend school in person. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, 50-70 elementary students attend enrichment classes each day. Tuesdays and Fridays are reserved for special events, field trips, and our HSAP band.  Space is also needed for the HSAP Resource Library which houses 23,298 educational items for homeschoolers and offices for the program’s administrators and 21 teachers.  These classes and activities are some of the reasons why Mid-Prairie’s program is so successful and is considered a quality program by so many.  The district has one of the largest HSAPs in the state of Iowa. 

26)  How is the Home School Assistance Program funded?

The district receives additional funding to pay for the HSAP.  This year there are 470 total HSAP students.  Of these 470, 328 students open enroll to Mid-Prairie from 21 other school districts and 142 students live within our district.  Open enrollment accounts for 70% of the HSAP program.  These 470 students generate over $1,258,500 of funding authority for the district.  Of that amount, over $867,000 is income paid directly to Mid-Prairie from other districts for home school students that open enroll into our district.  The HSAP generates enough income to pay for all HSAP salaries, benefits, supplies, and equipment enabling the program to be more than self-supporting.  Funds left over at the end of the fiscal year can be transferred to the district’s flexibility account.  In January, the School Board was able to transfer $259,000 into this flexibility account.

27)  If Mid-Prairie did not have a HSAP, would these children go to school in our district’s regular classrooms?

Most families who home school do so for a variety of family reasons.  These reasons are genuine and reflect the sincere value they place on homeschooling.  Most would choose to home school even if no district HSAP existed.  The Mid-Prairie community has always valued and honored the parents’ right to choose the best option for their child’s education whether it is a public, private, virtual, or home school choice.  By offering a HSAP, Mid-Prairie is supporting parents who choose to home school by providing a quality assistance program.

28)  Who can vote on the bond referendum?

Anyone who lives in the district, is eighteen years old, and registered to vote, can cast a ballot on March 1.  A person that is not registered to vote can register at the polling place that same day by providing proof of age and residence.  The best way to do this is with your valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address printed on it.

29)  Where are the polling places on March 1 and what are the hours?

The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on March 1st at the following places:

Washington County

Kalona Community Building

(City of Kalona, English River Twp. & Jackson Twp.)

Wellman Parkside Activities Center

(City of Wellman, Lime Creek Twp., City of West Chester, Cedar Twp., Dutch Creek Twp., Franklin Twp.,

& 76 Twp.)

Johnson County

Mid-Prairie Home School Education Center

(Washington Twp.)

Sharon Center United Methodist Church

(Sharon Twp.)

Iowa County

Parnell City Hall

(Greene Twp.)

If an individual does not know their polling place, they can call the Washington County Auditor (319-653- 7717), Johnson County Auditor (319-356-6004), or the Iowa County Auditor (319-642-3923).

30)  Where can I find out more information about the bond referendum?

A.  Check out the website at 2022mpbond.org or mphawks.org.

B.  Talk to any Mid-Prairie School Board Member.

C.  Reach out to any Mid-Prairie Administrator.  Superintendent Mark Schneider can be reached at 319-936-8601 or mschneider@mphawks.org.

31)  What are the costs for the different areas of construction?

Improvement Category Projected Cost Location

A. Auditorium $13,330,000 High School

B. Athletic $9,040,000 Middle School, High School

C.  Classrooms $11,340,000 East, Middle School, High School

D. Paving/Parking $2,550,000 East, West, High School

E.  Interior Renovations $1,360,000 Middle School

Total $37,620,000

Location Projected Cost Improvement Category

A. East Elementary $3,410,000 Classrooms, Paving/Parking

B. West Elementary $730,000 Paving/Parking

C.  Middle School $13,340,000 Athletic, Classrooms, Interior Renovations

D. High School $20,140,000 Auditorium, Athletic, Classrooms, Interior

Renovations

Total:  $37,620,000