Fairfield board orders vote on $39.5 million bond to build new middle school

The Fairfield Community School District board voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to order an election on up to $39,500,000 in general-obligation bonds to build, furnish and equip a new middle school.

Board secretary read the ballot language aloud for the record: “Shall the board of directors of the Fairfield Community School District in the counties of Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello and Washington, state of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $39,500,000 to provide funds to build, furnish, and equip a new middle school building, including site improvements.” The board then certified the petition signatures circulated in support of the bond and voted by roll call to send the measure to the ballot.

Board staff reported the petition drive collected approximately 958 signatures, of which the board secretary preliminarily judged about 860 eligible; the county/city auditor will make the final eligibility determination. The petition threshold was described as 25% of the turnout from the last school board election (2,993 voters), which equaled 748 required signatures.

Board members framed the measure as part of a longer-term investment in district facilities and student capacity. The resolution ordering the election passed on a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting: Mark Porter — yes; Ty Ward — yes; Chrissy Kessle — yes; Mandel Robbins — yes; Mark Thornton — yes; Dave Easturn — yes.

Next steps: the district will submit the certified petition and ballot language to the county auditor and proceed with outreach and public information about the proposed middle-school project and bond question.