Hartley, Iowa — Backers of a proposed construction and renovation project in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn school district hope a $16.5 million bond issue to fund the project passes this time.
Last September, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn voters narrowly defeated a $16.25 million bond issue for building updates, renovations, and additions. According to the O’Brien County Auditor’s office, while over 56 percent of voters voted for the bond issue, Iowa bond issues need a 60 percent “supermajority” to pass.
The bond committee chairperson, April Hengeveld tells us what is planned.
Officials say the plan is to build a new elementary school in Hartley, attached to the existing high school, with a separate entrance and a new playground; additions and renovations to the middle school in Sanborn, including a competitive gym; and renovations to the High School in Hartley, to add new wrestling and industrial tech spaces. They say that if the bond referendum passes, the overall school tax levy would increase by $1.55 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.
Hengeveld says updating the current elementary was considered, but the board found out that it would be extremely costly to update the current building to allow for full accessibility.
She says informational meetings are again planned so voters can find out more.
The issue will be decided by an election on Tuesday, April 4th. Polling places are the Hartley Public Library and Sanborn Community Building. Officials say the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The bond issue committee has a website where you can find more information at bondissue.org/hms
Click here for an absentee ballot request form.
Again, information meetings are:
- Tuesday, March 21st at the Melvin Fire House at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 22nd at the Hartley elementary gym at 7 p.m. (Tours before and afterward)
- Thursday, March 23rd at the Sanborn Middle School at 7 p.m. (Tours before and afterward)
The O’Brien County Auditor’s office says the official question put to voters will read:
“Shall the Board of Directors of the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District, in the Counties of O’Brien, Osceola, Dickinson and Clay, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $16,500,000 for the purpose of furnishing, equipping, constructing, improving, repairing and renovating school buildings and improving the sites therefor at the school district’s existing school buildings in Sanborn and Hartley, to include: an addition to and renovations of the existing Sanborn middle school campus, including new middle school classrooms, renovated art, music, and library areas, a competitive gym and site improvements; and an addition to and renovations of the Hartley high school campus to include a new elementary school addition, renovations and upgrades to the high school facilities to include new industrial technology areas and new wrestling facilities, new parking areas and other site improvements?”
Also on the ballot will be the Director District 1 seat to fill the vacancy.
