Emmetsburg Community School District

Last night, the measure on the ballot for the Emmetsburg Community School District fell short of the 60% voter approval needed to pass. As a result, the district will not be able to increase its debt levy limit, which is part of our proposal to construct a new elementary school.

The students and staff at West Elementary School face many challenges every day because of the facility’s age and extensive list of deficiencies. We believe that continuing to invest our limited resources and taxpayer dollars at West Elementary is not practical or cost effective.

The problems at West Elementary will only become greater and more costly as more time passes, which is why we are asking our voters to consider a $29.75 million bond referendum on November 5. We will continue to engage with community members about this important matter in the weeks to come and answer any questions.

We have a proven history of respecting the needs of our property taxpayers. ECSD’s levy rate of $12.26 per $1,000 of taxable property value is below the state average. That rate is also expected to decline in the coming years thanks to growth in valuations provided by more than 90 wind turbines located within the district, providing more relief for taxpayers.

We have also displayed fiscal responsibility when it comes to general obligation bonds, such as refinancing debt that was issued in 2007 at lower interest rates, saving taxpayers more than $434,000. Investing in our schools is an investment in Emmetsburg’s future. Our students deserve a safe and comfortable learning environment that can accommodate 21st century education. It is our goal to provide the resources and opportunities they need to be successful, and do so in a fiscally responsible manner.

We would like to thank our entire community for their consideration. We have had many important conversations about the future of our district over the past several months, and we will continue to seek your feedback and answer questions as we move forward.