Tri County School Bond Passes In Close Election

By Gordon HopkinsIt was a close race but unofficial results indicate voters have approved a bond intended to significantly upgrade facilities at the Tri County Public Schools District in DeWitt.The vote was 491-463 in favor of the bond.The results will not be official until after 5 p.m., December 16, 2025 when the canvassing board can complete the canvass of results.This comes after a previous attempt at passing a bond failed in May of this year. That vote was even closer. The difference in that election was just 36 votes, 500 against and 464 in favor.Brian Rottinghaus, Superintendent of Tri County Public Schools, said, “The students, school board, and staff are excited for this next chapter of facilities and programming at Tri County Public Schools. The goal of this bond effort is to strengthen critical opportunities for current and future student growth and wellbeing. It is an investment in our future by enhancing career skill development, safety, and the time students and families spend together, and strengthening our school-community ties. Through the process, our overarching priority is to remain focused on, and improve upon the great things we’re already doing. As the new facilities become reality, we’ll have a chance to do these great things even better with enhanced programming opportunities.”The ProjectThe bond will finance upgrades and additions to the school’s facilities, including: Additions more than double total CTE (Career and Technical Education) space with new precision ag, automotive, and wood shops, a maker space/entrepreneurial workshop, and a new art classroom. Revitalization of the former FCS (Family & Consumer Science) classroom allows for a full FCS program. Main visitor entrances redesigned so guests must check in face-to-face with office staff. Elementary classrooms will receive permanent soundproof walls and doors to reduce noise and disruptions. Two new preschool classrooms will allow for expanded early education enrollment. A new primary competition gym will be built while keeping the existing gym, adding seating, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access, and improved functionality for classes and activities. Updated entrances, locker rooms, weight room and commons enhance access and usability. New auditorium construction was removed; existing auditorium will be remodeled with new and additional seating space and reconfigured layout. Music classrooms will be revitalized in their current locations. Parking and accessibility improvements include a new gravel lot, ADA walkways and better site connectivity.CostsThe total cost of the project will be $26,995,000 and that includes renovations to 38,132 square feet of existing facilities which costs $8,475,000.Exterior site Improvement costs are $1,403,000. Then there are 41,985 square feet of new additions totaling $17,117,000.The breakdown of the new additions consists of the CTE and art addition for $5,154,000, the new gymnasium for $5,786,000, the new weight room and commons area for $3,889,000 and the new preschool addition for $2,288,000.There are two financing mechanisms to finance the project: lease purchase and general obligation bonds.Lease purchase financing is seven years. It will be paid with the Special Building Fund and will use 13 cents currently levied into that fund. This means there will be no new levy for this payment. The lease purchase will finance $9 million of the project with a four percent estimated interest rate. The total interest paid for the seven years of the financing will be $1.3 million.The total paid for principal and interest for the life of the loan will be $10.3 million. The Nebraska Property Tax Credit means 30 percent of these expenses are paid by the state.General obligation (GO) Bond Financing is 20 years.It will be paid using a bond fund levy which will be wrapped around the lease purchase levy. GO bonds will finance $17.995 million of the project with a 4.58 percent estimated interest rate.The total interest paid for the 20 years of the financing will be $12.6 million.The total paid for principal and interest for the life of the loan will be $30.6 million.The total paid on all Lease Purchase and GO Bond principal and interest for the 20-year life of the financing is $40.9 million.The net levy increase is 8.65 cents for the 20-year life of the financing, based on current levels of valuation and expense.These numbers are based on current rates and will be locked in as payments are made.The school’s bond information website includes an interactive tax calculator to estimate potential impact at https://www.tricountyschools.org/page/bond-info.

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