We are asking residents to consider approving an $11.5 million general obligation bond referendum on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. These funds would be used to construct a new competition gymnasium at the secondary school and a new loading dock at the secondary school.

The district has relied on its Master Facility Plan when it comes to addressing facility needs. In recent years, this has included updates to our career and technical education spaces, improving HVAC systems, installing new lights at the athletic fields, and upgrading the bus barn.

A new gymnasium and loading dock are the next major projects identified in the plan.

If at least 60% of voters approve the bond referendum, construction would begin in fall 2026, after project plans are finalized and bid letting occurs.

Completion of the referendum projects would be slated for 2028.

We expect the new gymnasium to serve the needs of our students, our staff, and our entire community.

In addition to physical education classes, practices, and athletic competitions, the new venue will allow us to host numerous youth tournaments and events that would bring large groups of people to Bedford.

There would be ongoing maintenance expenses associated with a new gym, such as changing filters and general cleaning in this area. However, the majority of the potential use of the new facility is currently happening elsewhere, so the cleaning of restrooms and locker rooms for events is not necessarily increased.

This new facility would result in far less emergency maintenance over the next 20 years when compared to the existing facilities. This could include failing mechanical units and finishes.

The new space would be energy efficient to meet code and likely require less energy per square foot to heat and cool than existing areas. It would also improve the existing gym's efficiency, as this building would become enclosed by the new facility with the current design.

Compared to other school districts in our region, we believe BCSD is adequately staffed. Potential adjustments to duties and schedules would be considered to address what needs to be done in response to the added gym space.

The proposed loading dock would decrease some work and provide an easier and safer avenue for deliveries and the movement of large shipments into our schools.

An approved bond would have a tax impact of up to $2.70 per year on every $1,000 of taxable property value (not assessed value).

For a home within the Bedford CSD worth $250,000, this would amount to an estimated $25.59 per month (or $307.07 annually). The tax impact on a commercial property worth $300,000 would be approximately $556.60 per year.

For agricultural property, based on the average assessed value per acre, the approximate tax impact in Taylor County would be $0.20 per acre, $0.14 in Ringgold County, and $0.26 in Page County.

More information is available in the Tax Impact section.

The district’s portion of your local property tax bill has steadily declined in recent years. The highest levy rate in the past 15 years was $13.58 per $1,000 of taxable value in 2018, while the lowest is the current rate of $10.93.

For the owner of a $250,000 home in the Bedford CSD, the levy rate reductions experienced in the past eight years amount to a savings of more than $2,500.

Bedford CSD Property Tax Levy History:

• 2018: $13.58

• 2019: $12.63

• 2020: $13.29

• 2021: $13.13

• 2022: $13.12

• 2023: $13.07

• 2024: $12.43

• 2025: $11.50

• 2026: $10.93

Bedford CSD’s property tax rate ranks in the bottom third statewide. It is the lowest in the Corner Conference and among the lowest in our neighboring school districts.

Yes, but only if the board chooses to capture the extra amount. For example, if your valuation has risen and the bond payment is $500,000, but now your $2.70 will generate $550,000, the board could:

• Just levy the $500,000, which will require a lower rate but generate the same dollar amount as needed from year to year.

• Levy the full amount and use any extra to pay the bonds off early. This is called a “surplus levy,” and many schools do it. It does require a simple resolution each year; the board may choose to do it, but it can end up saving taxpayers large amounts of interest costs if the bonds can be paid off sooner than originally scheduled. If they do levy any surplus, it can only be used to pay the bonds off early, and not for any new project cost or any other reason.

The initial “call date” of the bonds will be determined as we get ready to sell the bonds, but it is typically 5–7 years into the future, and then any time after that point in time, with 30 days’ notice.

If we use the surplus levy as noted above, there are some costs, but minimal in comparison to the savings this would capture for taxpayers. If we were to simply use cash on hand from PPEL or SAVE to pay off portions of principal in the future, the cost is likely only a few hundred dollars each time.

If construction bids come in lower, we can issue fewer bonds, allowing the district to incur less interest and fees. Just because voters approve one amount does not mean BCSD must issue the full amount. However, we cannot issue more than that amount.

If the construction bids come in higher than expected, the board would have to:

• Choose from the alternatives the architect has built into lower the cost.

• Remove some portions of the project while still fulfilling the referendum requirements.

• Or contribute funds from another source—most commonly cash from PPEL or SAVE, for example.

The board can levy the lower amount or levy the full amount, with any surplus only being used to pay the bonds off faster and incur less interest cost as a result.

This proposed general obligation bond would be repaid over 20 years.

By acting now, we can address our needs and allow our schools to better serve future generations of students. Delaying the proposed bond referendum projects will lead to higher costs later due to inflation and rising material and labor costs, among other factors.

Voters will see the following question on the ballot on Tuesday, November 4, 2025:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Bedford Community School District in the Counties of Taylor, Ringgold, and Page, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,500,000 to provide funds to build, furnish and equip a competition gym addition and a loading dock addition to the District’s existing K-12 facility, with related remodeling and improvements; and to improve the site?

The election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and polling locations can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

More information is available in the How to Vote section.

Yes. Registered voters may request a mailed absentee ballot ahead of election day through their county auditor’s office. The first day that voters can request a mailed absentee ballot is August 26. Ballots will be mailed starting October 15.

To receive a mailed absentee ballot, complete a request form and return it to your auditor’s office. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is October 20. Ballots must be received by your auditor’s office before the polls close on election day (November 4) to be considered for counting.

In-person absentee voting will be available at your county auditor’s office starting on October 15. Voting will be available weekdays during regular business hours until November 3.