[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6585350,"mediaKeyId","5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e","parentId",5680813,"title","Dallas Center-Grimes board accepts petition, votes to order $88 million bond election for November","audioSeconds",2761,"startMs",155000,"endMs",2916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e&start=155&end=2916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e/thumbnail_155000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6585350/Iowa/Dallas-Center-Grimes-board-accepts-petition-votes-to-order-88-million-bond-election-for-November","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585350-df36154c1baf1bb771e708005d370e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095450&Signature=dXAysUvSbLimKAuhyP2yn33ahgVAR8e2GJAT7B~f9K8ViYYwZs5NdIw1ZyhUozxcBIcxzvO5CzCs3P5A9iox4d8ex2sR1TQg1XzKmkyYofW~0h8vmYmC0OX6xqd5XhcRx0ZBaLvzW~cctvcef5xmyrl3Mjaq1HmgSpeViPbBC2RVf054bUWIMOyLnBjW3v1p3krVa7NMC8j-Mx8gDuuZH0t9mFJyXRs8EKYSwCmiOLuarmU4aH4ZmgtTToH8N94ntPLDeAIY~bz8FbSve671CXIFtPyP5L3nLdq76cZEaHqP-~3BGMTJF-3-fjVj6LuXZd9i5tJqX43obb4qRHTkiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District","date","2025-08-26T11:28:56Z","article","The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District board on Monday accepted a petition signed by 711 residents and voted to place a $88,000,000 general-obligation bond question on the November 4, 2025 ballot.

The petition, delivered to the board during the meeting by district staff, “ask[ed] the board to set an election for construction of $88,000,000 to reconstruct, repair, improve, remodel, furnish, equip portions of the high school, including facilities and spaces supporting extracurricular activities at the high school campus, to construct, furnish equipped additions to the existing high school building, to reconstruct, repair, improve, remodel, furnish, and equip portions of the existing middle school building in Dallas Center, Dallas Center, and Northridge Elementary buildings to make safety, security, and technology improvements, and playground and site improvements at all elementary buildings and the middle school building, and to improve, furnish, and equip Oakview athletic facility, and reconstruct, repair, improve, remodel, furnish, and equip the existing transportation and operations facility, including the construction of 1 additional building and parking lot improvements and improving the site,” a district staff member said when presenting the petition.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would provide funding for a broad set of capital projects across the district, from classroom safety and technology upgrades to a transportation/operations facility expansion and improvements to athletic and playground facilities. The board and staff said the ballot language would be what voters see and that the district’s role is to provide information to the community ahead of the vote.

Board discussion and next steps
Dr. Bloom, speaking for district leadership, said that approval by the board would allow the district to place the measure on the November ballot and begin a public-information phase. The board approved the resolution ordering the election after a motion and second; polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2025, if the resolution is certified.

Michelle Majum, speaking for district finance staff, reviewed how the bond would affect the district’s debt-service levy. “That levy rate for debt service that is currently at $4.05 will remain at $4.05 whether the election passes or does not pass,” Majum said, explaining that the board had previously used pre-levies to reduce outstanding debt and that the district would likely again use pre-levying strategy depending on outcomes. She cautioned that overall property-tax rates are influenced by multiple factors—state aid, enrollment changes and other budget items—so total property-tax impact is a more complex calculation.

Auditor, timeline and public engagement
Board members and staff said the district already has a community facilities team that collected the petition signatures and will transition to a community outreach and “yes” team if the board finalizes placement of the question. Board members asked how the district plans to communicate project details and to take community input on design priorities. AJ Ellingson, the district’s communications director, said the communications team will begin a two-month public-information effort if the board finalizes the ballot placement and will attend PTO and community groups to share facts and answer questions.

Facilities and auditorium planning
Staff presented initial cost estimates and trade-offs discussed by the facilities team. Consultants produced options for new auditorium space and upgrades: a new 900-seat auditorium attached to the high school was estimated at about $32,000,000; a new 900-seat auditorium at Oakview was estimated at about $28,000,000. Staff said the full bond package would not be driven solely by a new auditorium and that the district’s facilities team recommended prioritizing multiple security, instructional and playground projects first. For near-term needs, staff estimated about $5,000,000 of work could significantly upgrade the existing auditorium short of a full replacement.

Community involvement
Officials said parents and community members who want to be involved in design and oversight can register their interest with district staff or sign up through the bond information area on the district website. Staff said stakeholder committees will be convened during project phases if the bond is approved.

Outcome
The board voted to approve the resolution ordering the election on the issuance of $88,000,000 in general-obligation school bonds. The motion carried.

What’s next
If voters approve the measure in November, the district will move into project phasing and stakeholder engagement for facility designs, timelines and contractor selection; staff said the district will publish schedules for public meetings and offer opportunities for parents and residents to serve on design teams or feedback committees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DCG School Board Meeting - Monday, August 25","oneSentenceSummary","The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District board on Monday accepted a petition signed by 711 residents and voted to place a $88,000,000 general-obligation bond question on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.","taxTitle","Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",55543,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6585342,"Board votes at a glance: agenda, minutes, policies, trips and finance measures approved",3164,81000,3245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e&start=81&end=3245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e/thumbnail_81000.jpg","/articles/6585342/Iowa/Board-votes-at-a-glance-agenda-minutes-policies-trips-and-finance-measures-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585342-ed25f44263e280d0f62697cfa2379dbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095450&Signature=HHD~xt3NCOZTQ061Bc0WQZ2kJCN448NpZwYKPgONxJiOgEleDbJbQIwNSOrv1hnexssFOd-AfR3qHj1~f3XZBox~FGxtZsf0D~qX1waPcPwcKteIh5CrWTkHdcXUqj2pv-GlYg-w5p6114EjcSQJ-q6BCT99jPvn6zKFuc6rCkNu9Sk0ldcfkGwS7a3nDDWxd91KGtlhy49HQxZAU1nvRyS3zNeIjlU8PywrKuAtZCFY2bDTaxY63qepVB9TQ1osbO~dYR-8zGXehBpT5fulZTxlt-XdbagRzmRP~hJWboMH1mhibKrxz1GYcH805oUGdDaoMj-yd-pL4alKcMF9Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District board approved a series of routine motions during its meeting, including agenda and minutes approvals, second readings of policy series, activity trips that cross state lines, financial statements and board commendations. The board separately approved a resolution ordering an $88,000,000 bond election for Nov. 4, 2025 (covered in a separate article).

Key votes and motions recorded in the meeting transcript (motions carried unless noted):

- Approve meeting agenda (mover: Director Malmberg; second: Director McNeese). Motion carried.

- Approve minutes: special meeting 8/12 and regular meeting 7/21 (mover: Director Baker Curtis; second: Thiella). Motion carried.

- Presentation of bills: motion to approve by Director McNeese; second Director Dickinson. Motion carried.

- Consent agenda: motion to approve by Director Vander Felder; second Director Dickinson. Motion carried. (Consent items included district agreements and routine approvals; the classroom clinic agreement was discussed as a no-cost, year-to-year arrangement.)

- Second reading and approval of the 100 and 500-series policies (mover: Director Dickinson; second: Director Lundberg). Motion carried.

- Call for 2025 legislative action priorities (mover: Director Dickinson; second: Director Baker Curtis). Motion carried.

- Approve 2025-26 TQ committee members (mover: Director Baker Curtis; second: Director Vander Baldwin). Motion carried.

- Approve activity trips that cross state lines (mover: Director Lundberg; second: Director McNeese). Motion carried.

- Approve an FFA trip crossing state lines (mover: Director Baker Curtis; second: Director Dickinson). Motion carried.

- Approve the resolution ordering the $88,000,000 bond election (mover: Director Dickinson; second: Director Vanderbilton). Motion carried.

- Approve financial statements (mover: Director Vanderbilten; second: Director Lundberg). Motion carried.

- Approve board commendations (mover: Director Baker Curtis; second: Director Dickinson). Motion carried.

- Adjournment: motion and second; meeting adjourned.

Several votes were voice votes recorded in the public transcript with \"aye\" and \"motion carries.\" Individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript for each motion.","The Dallas Center-Grimes board approved routine business: agenda and minutes; bills and consent items; policy second readings; activity and FFA trips crossing state lines; the district\falendar TQ committee; financial statements; and board commendations. Separate action ordered a bond election.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6585346,"DCG communications director summarizes outreach gains, plans bond communications",546,334000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e&start=334&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680813-a66204c40ca3f503b23b36d6a6ed3d3e/thumbnail_334000.jpg","/articles/6585346/Iowa/DCG-communications-director-summarizes-outreach-gains-plans-bond-communications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585346-843643369e3b3d567584e9608215898d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775095450&Signature=HudtrFMdXb0j7APXx5sLIFHC7L2F3oH~93yCax5JK1em~XRJpFKTHCziLOCMFtbzYLFSjXOsevR1VD~xad0quSe7CDGV1JantQR~pkDIpaLrKNTMAs~vAqiEV0je~eFAGIKjvxEd4egaViElcgm~ijvG366XLsu22t-pWFiE3iLtbmgb3rznsAjJCbIoTcz0Ue9UIkR9vP8u~CMFV~bS--3bcfkfKBfW47~9vLLgnFqAlRd2dZDnrZXYdr1KowXWrtp9j1Fnr0fPPEFGiy3dINARfOFEtmpTlxMC07ySMrYCn~DF~EfZyl3aJa2W82AE8Cg7gGno8J1DtyWLUerQfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","AJ Ellingson, Dallas Center-Grimes’ director of communications, reviewed four years of communications work and told the board the district has increased family engagement tools and is preparing to support outreach related to the proposed bond question.

Ellingson said district mailings and digital outreach have expanded: the district’s Mustang Monthly goes to every mailbox in Grimes and Dallas Center, and ParentSquare now has active accounts for about 83% of families, up from the low 70s last year. \"When you become an active account, you can sign up for things like parent-teacher conferences,\" Ellingson said, adding that ParentSquare posts and automated translations help families who use languages other than English. The district now supports translation for 11 of the most-used languages on its website and reports 21 different languages used across ParentSquare.

Ellingson described other work: a district podcast, an eBackpack events submission tool that routes translated events to the communications team, an internship program that provides student support to the communications office, and a video board installed in the high-school gym used during graduation.

On sponsorships and paid outreach, Ellingson told the board he is refining offers to prospective sponsors so in-gym signage remains tasteful and not “the NASCAR look,” while raising non-district revenue through measured partnerships.

Bond communications
Ellingson said that if the board places the bond on the ballot, the communications office will run a two-month outreach campaign and is prepared to attend PTO and community meetings to present factual information. He framed the communications role as providing information so community members can make informed decisions. Board members encouraged that outreach and thanked Ellingson for work showing school activities to the broader community.

Outcome
The communications presentation was received without formal action; Ellingson answered board questions about metrics, translation and plans to support bond outreach if the board orders the question for the November ballot.","AJ Ellingson, the district communications director, told the board he has expanded translation, ParentSquare use and social media outreach and outlined plans to support a possible bond referendum campaign and stakeholder engagement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dallas Center-Grimes board accepts petition, votes to order $88 million bond election for November

Board votes at a glance: agenda, minutes, policies, trips and finance measures approved

DCG communications director summarizes outreach gains, plans bond communications