After two years of meetings, planning and gathering community input, a $265 million bond to pay for Des Moines Public Schools’ Reimagining Education, Reinvigorating Schools plan passed with 74% of the vote Nov. 4.
School officials are now tasked with carrying out the 5-year plan that includes creating signature schools, enhancing STEM and career and technical education opportunities and improving athletics and arts facilities.
Additional changes include a new elementary school; expanding the all-day, 4-year-old preschool program; and adding sixth grade classes to elementary schools.
The plan also calls for closing three schools and repurposing others — all in the hope of improving student outcomes and increasing shrinking enrollment.
District residents should not expect to see changes immediately.
“We’ll look to start breaking some ground here in late summer, early fall in some areas,” interim Superintendent Matt Smith said.
Next steps involve exploring financing, issuing a request for proposals on construction projects, identifying a construction management company and meeting with the Reimagining Education Bond Oversight Committee, Smith said.
Here’s more about what Reimagining Education will look like in action:
How will the bond affect local property taxes?
Under the $265 million bond, over the next 20 years a home valued at $200,000 will cost a homeowner roughly $188 a year in additional property taxes.
How will the bond be repaid?
Over the next 20 years, the district will pay back the initial amount borrowed, plus accrued interest, using funds from property taxes.
How much are the construction costs?
The new construction costs are slightly more than $264 million.
Officials built in “contingency dollars” to cover unforeseen costs, Smith said earlier this year. Officials expect the construction contingency fund to be about $15 million.
State funds connected to Secure and Advanced Vision for Education or SAVE and Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL will be used to cover the costs of some of the construction and maintenance costs.
Who is getting a new school?
The plan calls for razing Moulton Elementary School and, over two years, constructing the Moulton Arts Academy at a cost of $42 million.
The school will expand from preschool through fifth grade to include sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The school is slated to reopen by the 2028-29 school year.
What are signature schools?
The signature schools will offer specific educational focuses in areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) or the performing arts.
Signature schools differ from magnet schools in that students do not need to apply to attend.
Which schools will become signature schools?
What is a Montessori school?
A Montessori school offers child-centered learning that includes hands-on activities and allows students to learn at their own pace.
What other changes will parents see?
The district will be divided into three regions under Reimagining Education: Northeast, northwest and south.
Will my DMPS school close?
School buildings slated for closure include:
Do you have a question about Reimagining Education you would like the Des Moines Register to answer? Send it to state education reporter Samantha Hernandez at svhernandez@gannett.com.
Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines voters approved a $265M bond. What will it pay for, and what happens next?
Reporting by Samantha Hernandez, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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