USD 379 will host a bond election on March 3rd. It proposes a $10.25 million bond over 15 years, which would not raise taxes. Considered a “maintenance bond,” the funds would pay for large repairs and/or replacement projects.
No schools would close under the bond. Instead, existing facilities would receive repairs and safety upgrades, along with ADA compliance. This includes secured entries at all USD 379 locations (security cameras, vestibules, etc.), parking lot and roofing repairs, and exterior envelope repairs.
It also includes a new gymnasium floor and bleachers at CCCHS, a bus lane at CCCMS, and tunnel plumbing demo and upgrades at Wakefield.
A Tax-Neutral Bond
The current USD 379 bond will be paid off in September of 2026, which sits around six mills, said District Superintendent Brett Nelson. The $7.7 million bond was passed in 2015 and originally scheduled to be paid in 2030.
However, after refinancing dropped the interest rate, it will be completed this September, with four fewer years of interest payments.
Timeline
In March of 2025, the school board voted to support a new bond issue. Since then, public forums have been held, along with a community survey.
That data was used by the school board to determine which items would be funded by the bond. Informational meetings have also been held to share those construction lists with the public.
Why a Bond?
Superintendent Brett Nelson said the reason the district has been able to keep their current facilities up to date is because of a small, long-standing bond mill levy that dates back decades.
“If districts our size aren’t willing to fund these special elections every 10-15 years, it would be impossible to upkeep high-quality facilities for students,” Nelson said.
“We cannot fund a $2 million parking lot or a $1 million roof. We can keep up with a lot of deferred maintenance but we simply can’t keep up with the big projects without a bond.”
In addition, Nelson said passing the bond would set the district up for maintenance for the foreseeable future.
“It’s not bright and shiny, but it takes care of the most important maintenance things; it will improve security and upkeep and take care of those big-ticket items to set up our school district for the next 10-15 years.”
Voting locations include Clifton American Legion, Wakefield Methodist Church, Catholic Parish Center, and the First Baptist Church
