ATLANTIC, IA — Residents of the Atlantic Community School District will vote on three ballot measures on November 4, following action by the Board of Education at a special meeting Thursday night. The board approved petitions from community members for two bond referendums. The first is a $22.5 million general obligation bond to fund improvement and expansion projects at four attendance centers. The second is an $18.5 million sales tax revenue bond for the proposed construction of a multipurpose activity center at the high school campus.

The third measure is a Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS), which outlines how Iowa school districts may use revenue from the statewide one-cent sales tax fund known as Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE). “These ballot measures reflect input from our community about how we can continue to strengthen our facilities and provide more resources and opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen. “We encourage our community members to learn more about each proposal before casting their vote in November.”

General obligation bonds require supermajority approval of at least 60 percent to pass. Sales tax revenue bonds and RPS measures require a majority approval of at least 50 percent. If approved, 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.

“As a board, our goal is to make decisions that support students today while also strengthening our schools for years to come,” said Board President Laura McLean. “Together, these measures reflect the priorities we have heard from families and residents, and our voters will have choices.”

Officials with the Donovan Group, said in a statement issued late Friday, that “For more than a year, the board and administration have studied ACSD’s facility needs and explored potential solutions. During this process, architects and engineers completed an assessment of the district’s buildings and grounds and helped create a Master Facility Plan that identified approximately $40 million in 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 that 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.”

In August, the board approved a plan to use 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. “This approach allows us to invest in safe, updated facilities for students and staff while lessening the burden on local taxpayers,” Johnsen said. If approved, the $22.5 million general obligation bond would cover the demolition of the oldest portions of Washington Elementary School and the construction of two classroom wings for prekindergarten, kindergarten, and 1st grade students. A new secure entrance, cafeteria, art room, music room, and special education space would also be built.

Washington would also receive a new traffic loop to improve student dropoff and pickup, and improvements would be made to the bus lanes, parking lot, and building facade. A new connecting bridge with a commons space would be built between Schuler Elementary School and Atlantic Middle School. Each of these facilities would receive secure entrance improvements, and the restrooms on three floors would be renovated at Schuler.

Projects at Atlantic High School would include secure entrance improvements and a renovation of the media center. Four new classrooms would be added and a new multipurpose gathering space would be created to accommodate small-group learning. If the $18.5 million sales tax revenue bond is approved, it would finance the construction of a new multipurpose activity center connected to the high school. Preliminary plans for the 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.

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 throughout the year. Officials say a new activity center would allow the district to expand its physical education curriculum and strength and conditioning programs, while providing flexible scheduling to reduce the need for practices in the early mornings or evenings. It would also open the door to hosting youth tournaments, all-state music events, and other large gatherings that can provide a financial boost for the local business community.

“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,” said Trojan Cheerleading Head Coach Katie Hedegaard-Moreno. “Beyond athletics, it would increase school pride, strengthen community involvement, and create opportunities for youth programs and community partnerships.”

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.

More information about the ballot measures, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at www.atlantic-bond.com. A schedule of town hall meetings about the bond referendums and RPS will be announced soon.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently awarded $100,000 in State Housing Trust Fund (SHTF) grants to the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity and Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity to support the construction of homes in Newton and Waterloo. This funding is made available through the State Housing Trust Fund’s Project-Based Housing Program.

“Habitat for Humanity affiliates are crucial partners in expanding housing opportunities for Iowans,” said IFA and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham. “By working together, we can ensure that families in Newton and Waterloo have access to safe, stable homes they can truly call their own.”

“The State Housing Trust Fund remains an invaluable resource for communities across Iowa, empowering both public and private investments to create lasting change,” said Habitat for Humanity of Iowa Executive Director Lisa Houser. “The families benefiting from this partnership won’t just gain a place to live, they’ll have a strong foundation to build a brighter future.

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Newton- $50,000

The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity will use the $50,000 grant to support the construction of a new single-family home on an infill lot in Newton. The 1,158-square-foot home will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full unfinished basement and a storage shed.

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo- $50,000

Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity will use the $50,000 grant to support the construction of a single-family home on an infill lot in Waterloo. The 1,300 square foot home will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full unfinished basement and a detached garage.

Both homes will be sold to income-qualified partner families who will complete financial literacy, homeownership and foreclosure prevention education along with required sweat equity hours prior to closing.

The State Housing Trust Fund (SHTF) has awarded over $136.5 million in funding and has assisted 42,238 affordable housing units since the program’s inception in 2003. These awards have leveraged an additional $188.8 million.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors takes place beginning at 9-a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd, in Red Oak. On their agenda is a Courthouse maintenance update from Dan Wright, and comments with regard to the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions carbon sequestration pipeline project, from Montgomery County resident and pipeline critic, Jan Norris.

The Board will receive an update on City/School elections and Voter Registration, from Auditor Jill Ozuna, and act to approve claims payable for Wed., Sept. 24th.

Following regular business (and at around 9:15-a.m), the Supervisors in Montgomery County will hold a Budget Work Session, with regard to the FY2027 County Budget.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will receive an annual presentation from Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) Executive Director Jennifer McEntaffer, and act on orders to approve temporary street closures on Oct. 3rd for the Homecoming Parade, and Oct. 11th for the Fireman’s Parade.

They will also act on an Order to approve a new assistant City Attorney Agreement with Kaleigh Koch, who is with the Crary-Huff Law Firm. The Council will review and act on: a recommendation with regard to City-owned property at 302 Birch Street; An Order regarding Steve Livengood’s request for a flagpole in the street and sidewalk right-of-way in front of 318 Elm Street.

Other action on their agenda includes: the Third and Final Reading of an Ordinance vacating that portion of the right-of-way between 401 and 411 Laurel Street; The Second Reading of an Ordinance amending the City Code with regard to Flood Plain Regulations; and, the First Reading of an Ordinance regulating the use of Electric Scooters, Motorized Scooters and Low-Speed Vehicles, as recommend by the Community Protection Committee.

City Administrator John Lund is expected to report on a Federal Jury Summons he has received, and, Mayor Grace Garrett is expected to announce that Halloween Trick-or-Treating will take place in Atlantic on Oct. 31st, from 5-until 7-p.m.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says colleges and universities should not use the murder of Charlie Kirk to suppress the free speech rights of students. Bird says colleges should not create what she called an “assassin’s veto” by imposing security costs or facility fees that prevent conservatives, liberals or non-political speakers from appearing on campus.

Bird spoke earlier today (Friday) during taping of the Iowa Press program the airs on Iowa P-B-S and did not directly comment on the investigation of some social media posts made by staff at the three state-supported universities. However, Bird said free speech rights in the public square are very different than free speech rights in the workplace that are subject to employment policies.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents has approved the 26-member advisory council the proposed Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. Regent Nancy Dunkel asked the meeting Thursday that the vote be delayed as she had concerns about the makeup of council.

Dunkel also says she is concerned that a number of the people on the advisory board would be from out of state. Regent Christine Hensley has led the process to put the board together and says there will be oversight of the decisions.

Hensley says they shouldn’t delay and she is confident they have a good group for the advisory council.

Regent David Barker also said it is important to keep the process moving.

Other Regents pointed out they can indicate the involvement of the council members in the bylaws. The list of council members includes three Iowa regents, the Fareway C-E-O Reynolds Cramer, and former governor Terry Branstad. It also includes former Republican Congressman Greg Ganske. The list also includes professors from Northwestern, Princeton and Stanford. The list was approved on a vote of 7-2 with Dunkel and student Regent Lucy Gipple both voting against it.

(Radio Iowa) – Activists in Council Bluffs are taking to the streets to help people who are homeless through a new program called “A Path Forward.” Chasity Kephart is a first responder community health coach with the Council Bluffs Police Department. She spent last week hiking along the Missouri River, reaching out to people who need help.

Kephart says they helped more than 40 people last week and plan to connect with many more when they return to the riverfront next week. She says a majority of the homeless people are struggling with addiction, mental health and economic issues.

Kephart says hands-on support seems to be a better option in connecting people with resources. Sixteen different agencies are participating in the project.