What is the proposed solution to address Aplington-Parkersburg's facility needs?

The school in Aplington would be renovated and transition to a modern PK-6 facility. This plan includes a new entrance and administrative space to improve security and supervision, updates to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, energy-efficient lighting, new finishes, and reconfigured classrooms to meet elementary students’ needs. The media center would be relocated and built to accommodate modern technology, and an additional bus lane would be installed for safer drop-off and pick-up.​

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​The high school in Parkersburg would become a 7-12 facility, with students in grades 7-8 relocated to their own area within the campus, providing access to expanded courses and programming. An expansion of Career and Technical Education spaces at the high school would provide students with practical training for emerging career fields and more robust programming in areas like agriculture, industrial technology, and other trades.

 

Parkersburg Elementary School would remain open and under the control of the school district. Potential plans for this facility include transitioning to an Early Learning Center.

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→ SEE OUR FACT SHEET

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Will 7th and 8th grade students mix with high schoolers?

We expect to have a dedicated area at the high school campus where primary classrooms will be located for our students in grades 7-8.

 

This will be a separate wing away from the high school classrooms, allowing these students the ability to learn and grow in a smaller atmosphere. However, 7th and 8th grade students will have access to the same specialty spaces that high schoolers utilize. This includes the commons, auditorium, gymnasiums, vocal and instrumental music areas, and Family and Consumer Science classroom, among others.

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Why is more CTE space needed at the high school?

Career and Technical Education programming is especially important in our communities because of the role of agriculture and skilled trades. Providing more resources to these programs will directly impact local employers and help keep students in the area.

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How would these proposed facility changes affect bussing?
Overall there will be limited changes to bussing. We will actually run fewer shuttles each day between Aplington and Parkersburg, because of the number of students that we will be transporting between the buildings. 

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Where would junior high athletics take place under this proposal?
Depending on schedules, activities would be split between the high school and junior high school facilities.

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Are you going to close Parkersburg Elementary School?

No. The district will continue to control and maintain Parkersburg Elementary School if the bond referendum is approved on November 5. 

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This school has served the district well and been a source of community pride since the 1950s. Aplington-Parkersburg officials envision the facility becoming an Early Learning Center that serves some of the district's youngest students.

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Parkersburg Elementary would be maintained using funds the district receives from the statewide one-cent sales tax known as SAVE, or revenue generated by the district's Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL).

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Why doesn't the district construct a new K-6 building?
The simplest answer is that we cannot generate enough funds from property taxes to construct a new building.

 

Will community members get to vote on the proposed solution to the district's facilities needs?

Yes. Registered voters who reside in the Aplington-Parkersburg CSD will consider the general obligation bond issue on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The bond issue must be approved by 60% of voters in order to move forward.

 

How would an approved bond affect property taxes?

If voters approve the bond in November, property taxpayers would see an impact of $2.70 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value.

 

For a home with an assessed value of $150,000, the monthly tax impact would be $14.55. A commercial property with an assessed value of $150,000 would have a monthly tax impact of $15.64.

 

Based on the average assessed value of one acre of land, the monthly tax impact per acre would be $0.30 in Butler County, and $0.38 in Grundy County.

 

How does A-P's property tax levy compare to other districts?

The School Board and administration have a proven history of respecting the needs of our property taxpayers, as roughly 69% of Iowa’s school district’s have a tax rate higher than Aplington-Parkersburg.

 

In the past 12 years, our levy rate has declined by 23%. It currently stands at $11.92 per $1.000 of taxable property value. This ranks as the fifth-lowest rate in the North Iowa Cedar League for fiscal year 2025.

 

1. Hudson: $16.68 (Bond passed in 2022)

2. Grundy Center: $16.53 (Bond passed in 2021)

3. Denver: $16.52 (Bond passed in 2020)

4. Jesup: $14.87 (Bond passed in 2022)

5. Dike-New Hartford: $14.81 (Bond passed in 2020)

6. Aplington-Parkersburg: $14.62 (With November 2024 bond) 

7. South Hardin (E-NP) $14.00

8. Wapsie Valley: $13.73

9. South Hardin (H-R): $13.36

10. Oelwein: $13.25

11. Sumner-Fredericksburg: $11.98

12. Aplington-Parkersburg: $11.92 (Currently)

13. Union: $11.87 (Bond vote in November 2024)

14. AGWSR: $11.37

15. East Marshall: $10.88 (Bond vote in November 2024)

16. Gladbrook-Reinbeck: $10.75

 

With an approved bond in November, Aplington-Parkersburg’s proposed rate of $14.62 would still be lower than five NICL districts.

 

How much revenue would an approved bond generate for the district?

If approved, the bond would provide the district with no more than $16.5 million in additional revenue to address its space and facility needs.

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How long would the proposed bond be for?

The timeline of the proposed bond is 20 years.

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Why should we move forward with these improvements now?

By acting now, Aplington-Parkersburg CSD can address its needs in both of the district’s communities and position our schools to better serve future generations of students. Delaying the proposed bond referendum projects will lead to higher costs later due to inflation, rising material and labor costs, and increasing interest rates, among other factors.

 

What are Aplington-Parkersburg’s enrollment trends?

Unlike many smaller school districts throughout Iowa, Aplington-Parkersburg has been fortune to see its enrollment remain steady for nearly two decades.

 

The district’s certified enrollment in 2005-06 was 787 students. That total rose nearly 7% to 842 students during the 2015-16 school year, but has since ticked down to 793 students in 2023-24.

 

What is the question that will appear on the ballot?

Voters will see the following question on the ballot November 5, 2024:

 

Shall the Board of Directors of the Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District in the Counties of Butler and Grundy, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $16,500,000 to provide funds to remodel, repair, improve, furnish, and equip the Aplington building into a grades PreK-6 building and to construct, build, furnish, and equip an addition to and remodel, repair, improve, furnish, and equip the Parkersburg building into a grade 7-12 building?
 

→ SEE THE SAMPLE BALLOT

 

When is election day?

The election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Polling locations can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections. Additional local election information is available on your County Auditor’s Office website.

 

How do I register to vote?

Eligible voters must complete a voter registration form and return it to your County Auditor’s Office before election day.

 

Do I need an ID to vote?

Yes. A valid ID is necessary in order to cast a ballot. More information is available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voteridfaq.html.

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Can I cast an absentee ballot in this election?

Yes. Registered voters may request a mailed absentee ballot ahead of election day through your County Auditor’s Office. The first day that voters can request a mailed absentee ballot is August 27. Ballots will be mailed starting October 17.

 

To receive a mailed absentee ballot, complete a request form and return it to the auditor’s office. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is October 21. Ballots must be received by the auditor’s office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election day to be considered for counting.

 

In-person absentee voting begins on October 16 and can be completed at the Butler County Auditor’s Office or the Grundy County Auditor’s Office, depending on your home address.