ELECTION 2024: Lewis Central school officials seeking $30 million bond

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) - Administrators at the Lewis Central Community School District are hoping the second time is a charm.

Last year, voters rejected a $90 million bond request to build a new elementary school, add on to the middle school, and repair infrastructure across the district. Around 51.5 percent of voters supported the plan, but a 60-percent super majority was needed.

Now, the district is floating a new request around.

There’s a lot of student traffic in the halls of Lewis Central Middle School. Administrators expect more foot traffic in the next 5-7 years, when around 2,000 new family units will be constructed in the district.

“Even 20 students that come in a particular grade can put us over 30 kids per classroom,” said Lewis Central Superintendent Dr. Brent Hoesing. “It’s hard on the teachers. Our classrooms were never built for 30 students per class, they were built for 22 students.”

Overcrowding isn’t the only issue for which Dr. Hoesing is concerned. He has locker rooms with now lockers, showers that don’t work, and heating and cooling systems that might be beyond repair.

But one of the biggest concerns? School safety.

“[Right now there are] no expectations to walk through and talk to a staff member [when entering the school],” Dr. Hoesing said. “At this point, it’s up to you top go into the office and check in or have access to the rest of the building. When we take a step back and say, ‘Are our school as safe as they’re supposed to be in 2024?”

Now, school officials are hoping voters will approve a $30 million bond that will be used to make schools safer and to make repairs to the district’s four buildings.

Administrators say 39 percent of voters in the last election were 55 years of age or older.

If the $30 million bond is approved by the voters, the district won’t ask for money to build a new grade school until the bond is paid off in about five years.

Carol McKinley voted in favor of last year’s $90 million bond. Now, she’s hoping her peers will give the green light for the $30 million to give the students better and safer schools.

“They’re our future,” McKinley said. “They’re your grandchildren and my grandchildren, to it’s very important. Just because you don’t have children, that doesn’t mean you stop being involved.”

Lewis Central officials are sending out information on social media and via emails to parents and families. There is also an information session scheduled for Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Lewis Central Middle School to answer any questions regarding the bond issue.

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