What is the bond amount that will be on the ballot?

The board has called an election for a bond not to exceed $14,950,000. Registered voters residing in the district will be asked to vote For or Against the authorization to issue up to, but not more than, this amount.

 

When was the last time the school district implemented a bond?

The original building was built in 1951. In 1974 the library and cafeteria were added. When the old elementary building was condemned in 1994, the temporary elementary building (repurposed World War II army barracks) was brought in.

 

The last bond, in 2002, provided for the new gym and classroom additions to the south of the original building. The 2002 bond levy was .22 per $100 of valuation and has been fully paid off for several years.

​

History has shown that there is a common trend of Clarkson Public Schools passing bond/expanding about every 20 years.

​

What was the process to determine this was the right project solution?

Starting in the 2022-23 school year, we developed a strategic plan to enhance our students' education and experiences through a needs assessment. The Strategic Planning Committee, composed of students, staff, parents, and patrons, identified areas of need for our school district. It was through that process that we, as a district, needed to focus on three main components to improve our students’ overall educational experiences. We needed to address safety and security, improve the courses/classrooms available to students (Career Technical Education, CTE), and do this with complete transparency and open communication with our constituents.

​

In the Fall of 2023, our school board and administration started to address how the district can provide the identified needs. The process began with a facility audit covering the entire district building. The audit determined that our current elementary was a pre-fab World War II barracks that had been moved in as a temporary structure around 1994. To stay within the need of being cost-effective, it was decided that renovating the original structure would not be in the district’s best interest and that a new building would be more cost-effective and beneficial to the needs of the students.

​

What are the key elements of the facility plan?

 

Safety and Security: Ensuring the well-being of our students and staff is paramount. This plan addresses potential security concerns and creates a safe, accessible learning environment. The current district building does not allow for the monitoring of visitors and has multiple points of entry that cannot be monitored by office staff. There is no natural flow to the building, often creating confusion and issues in directing students, staff, or others in an emergency. We need to focus on and improve our overall safety and security. Adding a singular entry point will bring symmetry to the building and allow for proper access for outside visitors and a well-coordinated designated area for students to enter during the school day. 

 

Career and Technical Education: Our region, state, and nation are facing shortages of skilled workers. Preparing our students for available jobs — whether through college preparation or technical education—gives them a head start on their careers. It also helps our local businesses find their needed workers and preserves a thriving Clarkson community.

​

Elementary: Through the facility audit, we found that the building housed in our elementary classrooms was previously used as a World War II barracks. The building was moved in as a temporary answer for on-site expansion in 1994 because the current building was unusable. Our current elementary building structure has been renovated for better ventilation after mold set in. The structure appears to be in good condition, but the structure and HVAC units are not current, and the repair cost will be an issue in the future.

Cost-Effectiveness: This plan prioritizes cost-efficiency while meeting essential needs, minimizing the overall project cost and tax burden better than other options. The team considered nearly a half dozen other facility plans before selecting this approach. With each step and consideration, a priority was made to ensure that the dollars being spent improved the cost per square footage of the project.

​​

How will drop off/pick up during arrival and dismissal be impacted by the location of the new addition?

Drop/off pick up plans will be finalized and announced when facility construction is complete, but preliminary plans call for all students to enter the school through the new, secure main entrance. 

​

How can we be sure the project can actually be built for the bond amount?

The district has partnered with CWP Architects and BD Construction to help us obtain accurate budget numbers for this project. BD used current and historical cost data for similar education addition and renovation projects in our region to help the school set an “all in” bond amount. 

 

After the bond passes, all divisions of work will be put out for competitive bid. The final bond amount cannot exceed $14,950,000. 

 

Our bond amount includes projected inflation and contingency to ensure the project can be built for the amount on the ballot, or less. While construction volatility has stabilized, the cost to build schools will only continue to rise. The longer we wait to address the district’s needs, the higher the cost will be. 

 

What will be my tax impact?​

The projected tax impact is 19.4 cents per $100 of valuation. This projection is based on current bond rates for a 20-year bond (around 4.30%) and the district’s current LB2 valuation. The district’s LB2 valuation converts ag land from about 69 to 75% of the market value valuation down to 50% of assessed valuation for the purposes of a bond election per statute. Calculate your individual tax impact using the calculator available here.

​

How do Clarkson's taxes compare to other districts within our conference? 

The chart below shows schools within the East Husker Conference, the valuation of their district, general fund levy and bond levy. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Is this the right time to run a bond with the current economy?

Waiting for bond rates to come down or for commodities to improve may result in a higher cost of construction due to annual inflation of around 5%. A bond issue becomes the responsibility of all district patrons over an extended period of time in which the economic environment may change. Almost all school bond issues are refinanced to lower rates at some point during their maturity length allowing them to be paid off earlier or resulting in a reduction in the annual tax request for bond payments. 

 

When will construction begin and how long will it take to complete?

If the bond passes on November 5, construction would begin in the Spring of 2025. This gives the architect time to complete detailed drawings and for the project to be bid competitively. The construction timeline is anticipated to span approximately 16 months. The goal is to have significant completion by fall of 2026.

 

How will construction impact students and staff?

The construction manager has worked on numerous school projects and prioritizes safety and minimal disruption to student learning. While there will always be some noise, the construction firm will work with the administration and teachers to plan for the most disruptive construction when school is not in session. BD’s construction site superintendent will contact administration and teachers daily regarding scheduling and impact on learning.

​

Why do we need to make these changes?

Clarkson Public Schools is at a point where we must make a progressive move towards building school facilities that will support and provide for the next generations of Clarkson Public Schools students. Through strategic planning, facility audits, community input, and walk-throughs, there was a collective agreement on some needed core aspects. The committee maintained the original core priorities to establish Clarkson Public Schools as an innovative school district building through all those processes, meetings, and a cost-effective approach. 

 

There has never been a time that there is so much emphasis and importance in having adequate safety and security to protect students and staff. The current layout does not guarantee that ability, so safety and security are priority number one in the proposed design. The committee worked diligently and kept that in mind as they developed a plan. We will centralize our main entry to a single point as well as provide school office buildings that can effectively help the needs of visitors and guests.

 

With the changing landscape of modern education and the schools' responsibility to prepare our students for post-secondary opportunities, we identified that our career technical education (CTE) facilities needed improvement. We want to provide CTE experiences to promote the trades fields and show students a path to succeed post-secondary and stay in Clarkson. This also pairs with the growth of our own FFA chapter, FCCLA & FBLA chapters, and the ability for us to promote CTE through our clubs. We need to have the facilities to match our goals and expectations of what Clarkson Public Schools can offer our students.

 

Finally, this build allows us to upgrade our facilities for our elementary students. The current housing unit was moved in in 1994 as a temporary housing solution due to the original HS School / Old elementary being condemned. The building that they brought in was found to be a World War II Army barracks. This building was 50 years old when brought in to be temporary, which was 30 years ago present day. When we heard that and let it sink in, it was identified as a core priority to provide a solution so that our students can have access to innovative classrooms that can be built to fit the needs of a modern classroom.

 

How does the proposed facility plan support academics?

From the very start, the committee prioritized that this bond proposal keep academics at the forefront and as the guiding principle for design. Every dollar improves multiple aspects of students’ day-to-day educational experiences. On top of improving academic instruction, this proposal also provides the opportunity to bring symmetry to the building and assign different wings to the appropriate age/grade groups. A common thought in modern education is that we are trying to prepare students for jobs that don’t exist yet. It is daunting, but we know we can serve our students with the appropriate facilities. We would upgrade our Ag department, Business, Family Consumer Science, and additional classroom rooms that will help us prepare for growth and opportunities that have not yet been presented. With the new building, we are also mindful of trying to reuse what space we currently have, so there has been a focus on renovating old parts of the school to bring HVAC up to date in the 1951 building. 

​

What happens after the bond passes? 

As soon as the bond passes, the architect begins about four to six months of work to develop detailed drawings. Construction typically starts six months following bond passage.

​

Once design details are finalized, the construction company will create a phasing plan. BD Construction specializes in school remodels and additions and develops phasing to limit student disruption. Often, additions are built first so that students can be moved into those spaces. As students move out of existing classrooms and into new spaces, those existing rooms can be remodeled. BD also creates a schedule to complete as much work as possible over summer break.

 

What happens if the bond doesn’t pass?

Failure to pass the bond would potentially result in declining academic and extracurricular offerings, staff hiring issues, and an overall lack of opportunities for Clarkson students. With antiquated facilities come staff and student recruitment and retention difficulties. Maintaining outdated facilities comes at a high cost, factoring expenses that will go into repairs for elementary, and mandatory renovations to meet ADA requirements. Our student's safety and security will continue to be a vulnerability at a time when this is of utmost importance in our society.

​

Why should I vote for a school addition if I don’t have kids in school?

Aside from the moral argument that everyone benefits from an educated population, good schools make communities more vibrant, dynamic, and attractive. The quality of a community’s schools is one of the main criteria for businesses and individuals seeking to relocate. Even more importantly, good schools are essential to young families considering the Clarkson area as a home, and for opt-in students. If we hope to maintain a thriving community, we must continue to invest in our facilities.

 

Will the project increase our ability to grow?

By passing the bond it will give options for Clarkson Public Schools to grow and meet the needs of our students and district into the future. It also allows the district to accommodate expected growth. 

Does this affect my status with the Homestead Tax Exemption Act?

If you currently qualify for the Nebraska Homestead Tax Exemption and are exempt or partially exempt from other taxes, then those same exemptions will apply to the school bond. 

Homestead exemptions are available to qualified individuals who are 65 years of age or older, veterans, individuals with disabilities and others. For more information, please refer to the Nebraska Homestead Exemption Information Guide. 

 

How will LB34 affect my property taxes?

District residents will automatically receive school district tax credit (around 30%) without filing for it on your tax return as a result of LB34. While this tax credit does not apply to bond tax, it does provide automatic credits on your property tax statement for your property taxes paid to the district. The Unicameral passed LB34 in August 2024.