FOCUSING ON
THE FUTURE
Bond Vote | November 5, 2024
PRIDE RESIDES HERE
For more than 30 years, the Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District has established a reputation for having immense civic pride and celebrating the accomplishments of our students—whether it be in the classroom, on a stage, or in the field.
Those accomplishments have been made possible thanks to continued investments in our facilities and the generosity of our district's residents. Your past and present support provide the quality learning environment and opportunities that allow our students to fulfill their potential.
To ensure future generations of Falcons have the same opportunities to be successful, we are asking our voters to consider a $16.5 million bond issue on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
If the bond is approved by at least 60% of voters, it will allow the district to move forward with a series of improvements in both of our communities.
A-P Bond Referendum
OUR NEEDS
The facilities throughout the Aplington-Parkersburg CSD continue to serve our students well. However, challenges exist at the elementary and middle school levels that make 21st century learning difficult.
Parkersburg Elementary was constructed in 1956 and has limited space in classrooms. Site circulation is difficult during drop-off and pick-up times, and the shared gymnasium and cafeteria creates scheduling challenges. The school is home to nearly 240 students.
The Aplington building was built in the 1950s and lacks a secure entry that has become an industry standard today. The facility houses 373 students and classroom space is adequate, but updates are needed to the finishes, fixtures and furniture. The existing cafeteria and commons are undersized.
The high school in Parkersburg was constructed in 2009 and is home to 264 students. The facility is an asset to the community and a source of pride to many people, but some challenges exist today. There is adequate classroom space, but some specialty classrooms are over utilized and there is a need for more Career and Technical Education space that provides students with hands-on training and experience to prepare them for a multitude of growing career fields.
THE PROJECTS
It's important that our community has a shared vision when it comes to shaping the future of education in Aplington-Parkersburg CSD. That's why the district has engaged with residents and gathered valuable feedback leading up to the decision to pursue a $16.5 million bond referendum on November 5, 2024.
A task force was created with members from our communities to examine and prioritize the facility challenges the district faces—and to provide recommendations for potential solutions. The district also hosted an online survey to engage with residents and ensure their voices are heard.
The district partnered with INVISION Architecture for a thorough professional assessment of our schools and to identify project options that will allow Aplington-Parkersburg to provide more resources and opportunities to our students
With an approved bond referendum, the plan approved by the School Board would allow the schools in both of our district's communities to better serve our students for generations to come.
Under this proposal, the building in Aplington would transition to a PK-6 facility. The variety of improvement projects at this campus that would positively affect students include:
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Creation of a new entrance and administrative space to improve security and supervision
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Updates to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
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Installation of new finishes and fixtures throughout the building
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New energy-efficient LED lighting, which saves on operation costs
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Reconfiguration of some classrooms to meet the needs of elementary students
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A new media center that can accommodate modern technology
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Installation of a new bus lane to improve student drop off and pick up
The high school in Parkersburg would become a 7-12 facility, with students in grades 7-8 relocated to their own area at the campus. This change would provide these students with access to expanded courses and programs. Also planned is an expansion of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces at the high school, providing our students with practical training for emerging career fields and more robust programming in areas like agriculture, industrial technology, and other trades.
CTE programming is important in our community because of the role of agriculture. The proposed improvements would allow for more robust agricultural programming that can directly impact local employers and keep students in the area.
If these projects are completed, students at Aplington-Parkersburg CSD would navigate fewer building transitions throughout their K-12 education. Travel time would also be reduced for a portion of the district's staff members, allowing for more time to be spent in the classroom. The co-location of elementary and secondary staff also provides synergies.
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WHAT HAPPENS TO PARKERSBURG ELEMENTARY?
If the bond referendum is approved by voters on November 5, 2024, and the proposed projects and changes become reality, A-P would transition to a two-facility district and Parkersburg Elementary School, which has served the community since the 1950s, would be reimagined as an Early Learning Center providing more support to our youngest children. We have no plans to sell the building, nor would the district let it fall into disrepair.
This change would reduce travel time for some of our staff members, allowing more time to be spent in classrooms, and the co-location of elementary and secondary staff in Aplington would create greater efficiencies. This plan would also reduce the number of building transitions that some of our students would have to make throughout their time in school.
The facility would have space for a preschool classroom and activity space, Head Start programming, Early Childhood Special Education, wraparound daycare, and the ability to host programs before and after school. Parkersburg Elementary would also remain a hub for district transportation and have office space that could be used.
A-P would have the flexibility to use revenue we receive from the statewide one-cent sales tax fund (SAVE) and our Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to pay for improvements at Parkersburg Elementary that would allow it to transition to an Early Learning Center. However, these changes would be a lesser expense to the district than what would be needed if we continue to have the building be a full-time elementary school, meaning more SAVE and PPEL revenue could be used as contingency funds for the entire district.