A $265 million general obligation bond that would allow Des Moines Public Schools to make sweeping changes to the school district is now in the hands of the voters.
After a months-long signature drive, Yes for Des Moines Schools volunteers presented the Des Moines School Board with the more than 9,000 signatures needed to place the proposed bond — which would cover the construction costs of Reimagining Education, Reinvigorating Schools over the next five years — on the Nov. 4 ballot.
After the presentation, the Des Moines School Board voted unanimously during the regular Sept. 16 board meeting to place the 20-year bond on the ballot.
The vote follows months of discussions, public and in-house meetings and a complete overhaul of the first Reimagining Education plan after board members asked officials to slim down the original $500 million price tag.
Superintendent Ian Roberts thanked volunteers for their hard work and the community for its support.
“(A)s a result of tireless, tireless engagement and hours by so many volunteers in this community, the Des Moines community, you showed up, you showed out, and you said to us ‘We are moving in the right direction,” Roberts said during the meeting.
In February, district officials announced a broader 10-year, $500 million plan that included updating buildings and technology; new schools or additions; expanding all-day, 4-year-old preschool classes and creating additional opportunities for hands-on career and technical training.
It also called for closing multiple schools.
The final plan reduced construction costs to $265 million, closes only three schools, builds one new school and upgrades fewer buildings. The trimmed plan still expands preschool programs and academic opportunities for upper classmen.
Officials hope these changes will help improve student achievement and boost enrollment.
Toward the end of the meeting, Vice Chair Skylar Mayberry-Mayes recounted a conversation he had with recent DMPS graduates who seemed sad they would not get to experience Reimagining Education.
“And they said, ‘Why didn’t you do this sooner?’ And to me, that was validation that there is still hope, and our students still need this to move forward,” Mayberry-Mayes said.
What to know about the bond
At least 60% of voters on Nov. 4 must cast a ballot in favor of the bond for it to pass.
Under the proposal, a home valued at $200,000 would cost the homeowner approximately $188 a year in additional property taxes over the next 20 years.
How can I learn more?
Go to reimagine.dmschools.org to learn more about the initiative.
Officials plan to host informational sessions in the run up to the Nov. 4 election. No dates were released as of Sept. 16.
Read the bond language
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND REFERENDUM
WHEREAS, the Des Moines Independent Community School District, by and through its Board of Directors and the Superintendent, have resolved to support Des Moines Independent Community School District’s endeavor in proposing a referendum on November 4, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on the 4th day of November, 2025, the eligible electors residing within the Des Moines Independent Community School District, including the Counties of Polk and Warren, will have the opportunity to determine whether the Des Moines Independent Community School District should be authorized to contract certain indebtedness and issue certain general obligation bonds; and
WHEREAS, Des Moines Independent Community School District, to provide funds to implement the Reimagining Education Plan with the goal of improving student performance by expanding career and technical education, increasing pre-K education, and reducing class sizes within the District, by constructing, furnishing, and equipping additions to East, North, Roosevelt, and Lincoln High School buildings, Brody, Callanan, Goodrell, Hiatt, Hoyt, McCombs, and Merrill Middle School buildings, Kurtz Opportunity Center building, and Cowles, Jackson, and Pleasant Hill Elementary buildings; by remodeling, repairing, improving, furnishing and equipping portions of Hoover and North High School buildings, Hoyt and Meredith Middle School buildings; Kurtz Opportunity Center building; and Brubaker Elementary building; by demolishing Moulton School building and constructing a new building on the same site; and by improving the sites (the “Project”), requests the electors authorize Des Moines Independent Community School District to contract indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $265,000,000 and issue general obligation bonds for the Project:
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Directors and the Superintendent of the Des Moines Independent Community School District express their support for authorizing the School District to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $265,000,000 to provide funds to implement the Reimagining Education Plan with the goal of improving student performance by expanding career and technical education, increasing pre-K education, and reducing class sizes within the District, by constructing, furnishing, and equipping additions to East, North, Roosevelt, and Lincoln High School buildings, Brody, Callanan, Goodrell, Hiatt, Hoyt, McCombs, and Merrill Middle School buildings, Kurtz Opportunity Center building, and Cowles, Jackson, and Pleasant Hill Elementary buildings; by remodeling, repairing, improving, furnishing and equipping portions of Hoover and North High School buildings, Hoyt and Meredith Middle School buildings; Kurtz Opportunity Center building; and Brubaker Elementary building; by demolishing Moulton School building and constructing a new building on the same site; and by improving the sites.
Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @svhernandez, Bluesky at @svhernandez.bsky.social or at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines School Board approves $265M bond to retool education. What’s next for voters:
Reporting by Samantha Hernandez, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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