On March 3, a date predetermined by state law, residents of the district will be asked to vote on the following referendum. Sixty-percent of voters much approve of the referendum for it to pass:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Alburnett Community School District in the County of Linn, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,640,000 to provide funds to renovate, remodel, repair, improve, furnish, and equip portions of its existing building, and to construct, build, erect, furnish, and equip additions to the existing building, including related remodeling and site improvements; and to construct, build, furnish, and equip a multi-purpose facility at the Martin Athletic Complex?

Shall the Board of Directors of the Alburnett Community School District in the County of Linn, State of Iowa, be authorized to levy annually a tax exceeding Two Dollars and Seventy Cents ($2.70) per Thousand Dollars ($1,000), but not exceeding Four Dollars and Five Cents ($4.05) per Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed value of the taxable property within said school corporation to pay the principal of and interest on bonded indebtedness of said school corporation, it being understood that the approval of this proposition shall not limit the source of payment of the bonds and interest, but shall only operate to restrict the amount of bonds which may be issued?

The two questions on the ballot work together. The first question describes, in general terms, the type of improvements being proposed and the estimated amount needed to bond in order to complete the project. The second question asks for the ability to levy to fund the project, specifically the ability to levy up to $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed value. It’s important to note, though, that the actual levy will be $3.67.

Requesting and voting by absentee ballot through the mail is an easy way to get your ballot mailed to your home or other destination if you are a registered voter in Linn County. Voting by mail allows you the convenience of voting from the comforts of home.

An original, hard copy request for a ballot must be received by the Linn County Election Services Office by 5 p.m. on February 21, which is 11 days before the March 3 election.

No email or fax requests will be accepted unless followed by the original, in which case it must be received by the Election Services Office by the time the polls close on March 3.

Linn County Election Services

935 Second Street SW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-2100

When your ballot arrives, there will be additional items inside the delivery envelope:

1. A ballot for your precinct.
2. Instructions on how to complete your absentee ballot along with important dates related to absentee voting.
3. Secrecy folder to keep your voted ballot a secret.
4. A combined Affidavit/Return Envelope, which requires your signature on the backside. The returned envelope is postage paid.

Completed absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before the Monday before Election Day (March 2). Postmarks are not guaranteed by the Post Office.

Financial health of any school district stems from a multitude of factors. One of the contributing factors to the financial strength of the Alburnett district is our ability to run efficiently within one building. In the current school facility, even as square footage increases, we benefit from shared spaces that are used by all grades. Construction of a facility -- such as a new elementary or middle school/high school -- would result in a duplication of resources and functions. A second facility would require a second kitchen/cafeteria, gymnasium and locker rooms (depending on the grades), library/media center, operating systems, and parking. Most of these duplications are costly to build, furnish, and even staff. The logistics of adding another building to bus routes is another expense.

When considering purchasing more land for expansion or new construction, the district-owned property at the existing site has ample space for the proposed expansion as well as future expansions if and when needed. The proposed plan is designed to allow for continued growth well into the future.

Beyond these efficiencies and room for future growth, there is also something uniquely Alburnett about the PK-12 school environment. Students of all ages share stories of watching the “big kids” or working with the “little kids” as a normal part of every day. Families tell of the value that is placed on knowing everyone is in one place each day.

Parking and traffic flow are addressed as part of this plan. The project budget includes funding for site improvements that will improve traffic flow during drop-off and pick-up as well as create  an additional 100 parking spots. Reconfigured parking will allow for faculty and guest parking during the day and event-specific parking in the evenings at the front of the school, most convenient to the gym and new auditorium. Students will also get their own designated lot.

As part of the project, most of the school will see general improvements to the walls, floors, lighting, and furnishings. This includes nearly all bathrooms. Renovated spaces include new ag/tech classrooms on the building’s northwest corner as well as a PK-12 media center on the first floor centrally located near the small gym. The existing media center will become classrooms, as will the existing music room. The stage of the small gym will be reclaimed and transformed into classrooms as well. The family and consumer science room will be upgraded. Renovated classrooms throughout the school will range in size from 800 to 1,000 square feet depending on the function. By comparison, many current classrooms are around 600 square feet.

At the front of the school, in the space now occupied by the ag/tech wing, another addition will create an auditorium and music room. This nearly 13,000-square-foot addition creates an opportunity to improve the school’s main entrance as well. The auditorium will accommodate 500 seats. A lobby off the entrance will accommodate pre-function gatherings and will allow for the majority of the school to be closed off during events.

Yes, but what will it actually look like?

The honest answer is we don’t know yet. And, that’s a good thing. Typical pre-referendum design includes programming – the process by which architects determine space requirements – and floor plans representing the results of the program analysis. After the bond passes, the real design work starts going from concept to schematic design to construction documents (also known as architectural drawings) and ultimately construction. Schools reflect a community’s personality, pride, and philosophies. Before the design of Alburnett’s new spaces, OPN Architects will spend time getting to know the community’s collective vision for how the building will be used and what each space should provide. OPN Architects will help Alburnett analyze, assess, and synthesize data, methodologies, and facilities to create a blend of physical, digital, and immersive environments that enable your staff to teach and mentor the next generation of innovators, creators, collaborators, and leaders.

The Alburnett school is the heart of our community. As such, it is a natural gathering place for a myriad events. An auditorium will serve more than the school. Like the rest of the facilities, it will be open to the community. The school district will use the space for more than music and dramatic performances. Auditoriums are more than performance venues. They are large classrooms for fine arts and technology programs. It will also fill an unmet need in the district for a space to host other events for large audiences – speakers, graduations, professional development days, etc …  -- without monopolizing gym space. The new auditorium will also be safer and more comfortable than our existing performance space in the small gym.

A critical part of this facilities assessment process has been the investigation of multiple scenarios and solutions, including repurposing the small gym for additional classroom space. To compensate for the much-used practice space, the proposed plan includes a new multi-purpose facility at the Martin Athletic Complex for athletic storage, locker rooms, and activities.

Alburnett already has a secure main entrance with the office located at the front of the school requiring all visitors to check in before entering. These doors are locked during the day, so visitors must also be buzzed in. As a result of this bond, we will be able to enhance these security measures with doors that can lock at the flip of a single switch as well as security cameras. We will also be upgrading the fire alarm and communication systems.

Schools are integrally tied to a community’s economic vitality. According to a recent study by real estate search engine Trulia and Harris Interactive, the majority (57 percent) of parents with children under 18 would pay above listing price to live in the neighborhood with ideal schools. As Alburnett looks to the future, school facilities that match the caliber of education we provide our students, will play a critical role in our community’s growth.

School district funding is a complicated issue. While generally it is considered wise to save money for a rainy day – or in this case a large expense – school districts are not legally allowed to stockpile large savings accounts. As a protection for tax payers, they are encouraged by law to operate in such a way that they spend all that they bring in each year. This general fund is used to pay salaries and buy supplies. Think of it like a checking account for day-to-day expenses. Other funding streams include PPEL, which can be used to improve ground and buildings; and the 1-cent sales tax (SAVE), which can be used for capital projects. It is possible to use these funds for large-scale building projects. Alburnett’s last expansion was funded by SAVE. Remaining SAVE revenue must be maintained to allow for a cushion should the district need to fix a broken window or replace a piece of equipment, for example. That is why, at this time, the school board has determined that the most fiscally responsible option is to ask voters to approve a general obligation bond.