By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Community members in the Panorama School District are now circulating petitions that will ask the board of education to place a $19.6 million general obligation bond referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. State law requires that signatures be collected from 168 eligible voters in the Panorama Community School District, which amounts to 25% of the voter total in the most recent board election.
The petition asks the board of directors to call a special election to “contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,600,000 to build, furnish, and equip an addition to the secondary building for a competition gymnasium, including site improvements; to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the secondary building, including improvements to classrooms, common areas, secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements; and to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the elementary building, including a secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements, including an accessible playground.”
According to Panorama Schools Superintendent Kasey Huebner, once the signature requirement is fulfilled, the petition will be presented to the school board for verification, and a decision can be made on the referendum request.
Huebner said an advisory committee that included community members provided a recommendation that includes the installation and securing the entrance at the elementary school, a new roof, and an enhanced playground that will improve accessibility for all children.
At the secondary school, the proposal calls for updates to the shop area; heating, ventilation and air conditioning system updates; and renovations to the school’s entrance, commons area, kitchen, restrooms and other spaces.
Additionally, Huebner said the construction of a new competition gymnasium would be made at the secondary school to provide additional space and resources for physical education classes, athletic teams, school events, youth programs and community activities.
The total projected debt service tax rate implication for this potential project would be $1.96 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Panorama’s average total property tax rate over the last 18 years is $13.10. With an approved bond, the projected levy rate would be approximately $12.40.
Petitions are available at Panorama Secondary District Office, Panora Fiber and NAPA Auto Parts in Panora; Jamaica Public Library, Farmers State Bank in Yale; and Linden Public Library.