District to seek $265 million bond after volunteers deliver signatures

A staff member for the Des Moines Independent Comm School District said the board voted unanimously at its most recent meeting to place a $265,000,000 general obligation bond on the Nov. 4 ballot after volunteers submitted a little over 9,000 signatures, exceeding the 7,024 required.

The measure is intended to fund the district’s five‑year Reimagining Education plan, the staff member said. The district described planned uses as building upgrades (the buildings were described as averaging 72 to 80 years old), expansion of "signature schools," growth of career and technical education programs, and extension of full‑day pre‑K so eligible children and their parents have access to all‑day preschool.

"As a result of the valiant effort with an inordinate amount of time spent by volunteers, community members knocking on doors, we had delivered to us, over a period of 2 months, a little over 9,000 signatures," the staff member said.

The recap did not specify ballot language, the projected tax impact, or a detailed project schedule. The bond will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot; additional public materials and formal ballot documents are expected to provide more details before the election.