“Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s world in a caring learning environment” is Mid-Prairie’s mission statement.  On March 1 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Mid-Prairie voters will have a chance to pass a bond referendum that will improve the district’s learning environment for all students.

If the bond issue passes, spaces for 13 additional classrooms will be created for learning.  If the bond passes, classrooms will be more handicapped accessible, and more classrooms will be available for students with disabilities.  If the bond passes, the safety of students will be improved through parking lot improvements at East and West Elementary Schools, improved lighting at the softball field, and resurfacing of the high school track.  If the bond passes all students will have access to improved facilities for activities. 

If the bond issue passes there will still be funds available for future facility needs.  Conservatively, there will be approximately a total of $600,000 every year leftover in the Physical Plant & Equipment Levy Fund and Sales Tax Revenue to cover additional facility needs even after deducting funds for annual transportation, technology, and ordinary repairs and maintenance. 

The Bond Referendum

by the Numbers:

$26,300,00: Total bond referendum amount.

$.60 per thousand: The amount the general obligation bond tax rate will increase to pay back the bonds.  This is the same increase that was asked for during the 2014 bond issue.

$29.61: The total amount of the annual property tax increase for a person owning a $100,000 home.

$0.59 per acre: The amount of the annual property tax increase per acre for a person owning farm ground of average productivity.

$2.70 to $4.05: The second question will ask voters permission to raise the debt service levy limit from $2.70 to $4.05.  However, if passed, the new debt service levy will be $3.30, and will not rise to the $4.05 limit. 

9th lowest of 13 schools: Mid-Prairie’s property tax rate ranking among area school districts.

2018: The year the latest Facilities Committee was formed to create recommendations for the school board.

3.0 to 3.5%: The estimated interest rate for the bonds.

19.5 Years: The payback period for the bonds.

60%: The percentage of “yes” votes needed on both questions to pass a bond referendum.

18 Years by March 1: The age any district resident needs to be to vote.  If a person is not registered to vote, they can register at the polls that day.

319-653-7717 - Washington County Auditor; 319-356-6004 – Johnson County Auditor; 319-642-3923 – Iowa County Auditor:  The numbers to call if a person is not sure of the location of their polling place.

7:00 AM to 8:00 PM: The hours the polls are open March 1.

2: The number of votes the 1996 bond referendum passed by thus proving that everyone’s vote is important no matter your opinion.