2025 Bond Referendum

Overview of 2025 Referendum

Each year, our SEP School Board carefully reviews and updates a long-term facility plan to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our growing district. This proactive process helps us address current and future challenges – many tied to our continued enrollment growth.

We’re proud that so many families choose Southeast Polk as their home, and we remain committed to ensuring our facilities match the quality of education and student experience we strive to provide.

This plan was developed using prioritized criteria to ensure safe, functional, and inspiring learning environments for students and staff now and in the future.

Thanks to the almost 2,000 SEP community members who signed the petition to put the referendum on the November 4, 2025, ballot!  The measure would authorize the District to issue $51 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund projects in the approved facilities plan.

Referendum 2025 Success for Every Child

Challenges Facing Southeast Polk

Key Projects in the Plan

  • Build, Furnish, and equip a new elementary school
  • Upgrade playground at all PK-5 Schools
    • Focus on safety and accessibility improvements for all students
  • Renovate the Junior High (grades 8-9)
    • Relocate the main office to the building entrance to improve safety and accessibility
    • Expand the common areas to better serve students

Key Referendum Points

  • Provides a dedicated funding source to support long-term facility improvements
  • Delivers multiple benefits for students, including safe, modern, and supportive learning spaces
  • No increase to the District’s property tax levy rate
  • Requires 60% vote approval to pass

Build, Furnish and Equip a New Elementary School

Why We Need It

  • Enrollment Growth
    • More students than our current buildings will be able to hold.
    • +500 students projected in the next 4 years, with much growth at the elementary level
  • Smaller Class Sizes
    • A new school helps teachers give more individual attention.
  • Neighborhood Schools
    • Keeps students closer to home and reduces long bus rides.
  • Early Learning
    • Dedicated preschool and transitional kindergarten classrooms to give kids a strong start.
  • Benefits Our Students
    • Modern classrooms built for collaboration, technology and hands-on learning
  • Benefits Our Community
    • Balanced Enrollment
      • Relieves crowding in current schools.
    • Long-Term Investment
      • Meets the needs of students for the future.
    • Protecting Home Values
      • Strong schools strengthen our community and property values.

Playground Upgrades

Why We Need It

  • Safe & Accessible
    • Replace aging equipment with safe, accessible play areas.
  • Healthy Play
    • Modern playgrounds encourage fitness, imagination, and social growth.
  • Community Use
    • Playgrounds serve students during the day and families after school hours.
  • Benefits Our Students
    • Safe, accessible playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
  • Benefits Our Community
    • Long-Term Investment
      • Meets the needs of students for the future.
    • Protecting Home Values
      • Strong schools strengthen our community and property values.

Junior High Renovation

Relocate the Jr. High Main Office to the building entrance

Expand the commons area to better serve students

Why We Need It

  • Safety & Security
    • Secure entrances, accessible main office, and modern systems.
  • Future-Ready Spaces
    • Updated common spaces for lunch, collaboration, and groups.
  • Efficient Infrastructure
    • Upgrades to systems save money long-term.
  • Benefits Our Students
    • Safety First: Secure entrances and updated safety systems.
  • Benefits Our Community
    • Long-Term Investment
      • Meets the needs of students for the future.
    • Protecting Home Values
      • Strong schools strengthen our community and property values.

Tax Impact

The District’s current tax rate is $15.42/$1000, and thanks to responsible financial planning, it has decreased by more than $6.00 per $1,000 of taxable valuation over the past several years. This represents a 29% lowering of the SEP District tax rate, allowing us to pursue facility investments without increasing the school tax levy rate.

Next Steps:

Vote November 4, 2025!

Questions? – Let’s Talk Link Coming Soon!

If you are interested in being a part of the community-based group that supports the district in passing the 2025 Referendum, join their Facebook page at RAMS Rising – Referendum 2025.