Sales tax oversight committee hears $65 million Bellevue rebuild plan; design work under way for three safety projects

The school district’s sales tax oversight committee heard an update on June project planning and spending after voters approved a 10-year sales tax measure in November 2024.

The presentation, led by Angela Usher, head of operations for the school district, summarized revenue projections, the committee’s responsibilities under the sales tax resolution and bylaws, and the status of three projects that have been funded to date: safety and security work at East Marion Elementary, permanent walls and doors at Osceola Middle School Building 2, and early design work for a full rebuild of Bellevue Elementary.

The committee’s role, Usher said, is to review expenditures and revenues and to provide an annual written report to the superintendent and school board, and to notify the board if the district is not using the revenue “in the way that it should be used.” Usher said, “The voters approved the sales tax in November 2024 for 10 years. It started in January 2025.”

Why it matters: The tax is projected to generate roughly $35 million to $40 million a year, producing roughly $350 million to $400 million over its 10-year life if current projections hold. The committee will monitor how the district allocates that revenue among new construction, safety and security improvements, technology upgrades and allowable financing costs under the resolution.

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