The Dubuque Community School District will host a community information meeting focused on its facility planning efforts on Monday, May 1, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road.
The meeting will feature a discussion on projects that may be included in a potential September bond referendum. The largest project would involve constructing a new middle school on the site of the current Washington Middle School. This would give the district two modern middle schools of similar size and amenities rather than continuing to operate two smaller, 100-year-old, less-efficient buildings.
This project would save the district an estimated $3.4 million in annual operating costs, and voters could approve a bond referendum with no increase to the district’s overall tax levy rate.
Additional projects from the district’s 10-year facility plan include adding air conditioning to buildings that still need full climate control; the construction of a baseball and softball complex with lights, restrooms and concessions; acquiring land for a potential future elementary school; and a gymnasium addition to Eisenhower Elementary, as it is the district’s only elementary school of its size without both a dedicated lunch/multipurpose room and a gym.
At the meeting, the team from INVISION Architecture leading the study will provide an update on projects. Tim Oswald from Piper Sandler will explain the funding mechanism needed to accomplish the project, along with its potential impact on property taxes.
