Special to the Times Vedette
The classrooms and hallways may be empty for summer break, but the Panorama Community School District’s Board of Directors and administrators are busy preparing for a November bond referendum that could reshape the district.
The referendum is the latest step by district officials to address existing building and infrastructure deficiencies and create new facilities they say will better position Panorama CSD to serve future generations of students and the community.
“Engaging with residents and sharing information about the solutions that are possible with a bond referendum will be a priority throughout the summer and fall,” Panorama CSD Superintendent Kasey Huebner said. “We want to ensure everyone has a chance to make their voice heard.”
In February, Panorama CSD partnered with SVPA Architects and KED Bluestone for a comprehensive assessment of the district’s facilities. The district also solicited feedback from staff about its schools and formed an advisory committee to study the issues.
Committee members provided the board with a series of recommendations in the spring. The project list at the elementary school included a new secure entrance, a new roof and playground upgrades to improve accessibility for all students.
The secondary school’s shop area will be renovated to enhance career and technical education. Additionally, the entrance, commons area and restrooms will be updated using funds from the bond. Over the next 10 years, the district’s HVAC systems will be upgraded with PPEL/SAVE funds.
The committee also recommended the construction of a new gym at the secondary school. This venue would offer more space for physical education, athletics and community events.
“The bond referendum has been a consistent conversation for the past four to five years, and this project would provide the funds we need to make our schools safer, address infrastructure and maintenance needs for years to come, and create new spaces that benefit students, staff and our community,” Huebner said.
Signatures soon will be gathered from eligible voters for a petition asking the Board of Directors to place a $19.6 million bond referendum question on the ballot for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
State law requires the number of signatures to equal 25% of the voter turnout in the last board election. After the district has verified the signatures, the petition’s request can be officially considered by the board.
Bond measures require supermajority approval of at least 60% to pass.
Panorama Community School District’s cumulative levy rate is $10.50 per $1,000 of taxable property value, making it the third-lowest among the school districts in the West Central Activities Conference. For comparison, the tax rates of other nearby school districts are as follows:
- Guthrie Center at $12.18
- Earlham at $12.93
- Van Meter at $16.07
- Woodward-Granger at $18.86.
The estimated tax impact of an approved bond referendum would be $1.96 per $1,000. For a home assessed at $250,000, this would amount to an additional $18.38 per month, or $0.62 per day.
District officials will provide bond referendum information to residents via a new website, direct mailers, social media, newsletters, videos and fact sheets. A series of public forums will also be scheduled and promoted.
“We want everyone to have opportunities to learn more about our facility needs, provide feedback and get answers to their questions,” Huebner said.
