The Aplington-Parkersburg School District is asking voters to consider a $16.3 million bond proposal in next week’s general election. The funds would support secure entrances, HVAC and system upgrades, and essential building improvements at both the Aplington and Parkersburg facilities.
After last year’s vote failed, the school board took feedback from the community to develop a more specific plan for this election. Superintendent Travis Fleshner says the items being proposed in this referendum are needs, rather than “nice to have” items.
“We went through three driving questions,” Fleshner says. “What’s best for students and staff? What will the community support, and what’s fiscally responsible? And we went through a range of all kinds of potential projects and ideas and options, but we really kept coming back to just some needs. Reliable heat as we go into the winter season here. Cooling is really something, you could say it’s a nice to have, but it is, you know, 2025. So it’s time to update those kinds of things. Reliable electrical services, I don’t think things that are too big a reach for people, and we hope that resonates with our communities.”
The proposal outlines specific areas where the funds will be used. 71 percent will be used for HVAC updates, 14 percent for roofs, 10 percent for safety and security, and five percent for electrical upgrades. Fleshner encourages voters to be as informed as possible, and says the school’s website has abundant information about the proposal.
“It has all kinds of information about the project, the process, tax rate calculators. If you’re wondering what does this do for my specific residential property or my farm property, we want people to know this going in. I don’t know that anybody’s necessarily looking forward to any kind of a tax increase, but for the kind of project and the scope of the project we’re going to do, there’s going to have to be an impact there. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at school. Either via email, call the school, they’ll get you to me and I will give you a call back. We’ll get those answered for you.”
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
Travis Fleshner interview:
