Residents: Involve Community, Improve Communication for Future Johnston Bond Issues

Residents in the Johnston school district made it clear any future bond issues need more promotion to ensure approval.

Nearly 100 patrons of the district attended the second community feedback meeting on the failed bond referendum Monday evening at Summit Middle School.

While suggestions included creating a more simple high school, providing more information on traffic construction at the proposed high school location and concerns about property taxes, several residents said communication with residents needs an overhaul.

In September voters rejected a $51 million bond issue, which would have been used to build a new high school and was one element in a $123 million facility plan in the district.

The plan included renovating the existing high school to house eighth- and ninth-graders, renovating the current middle school to house students at Wallace Elementary and an all-district preschool, and renovating Wallace to hold the district administrative offices.

See the district's bond issue powerpoint and community handout to the right

Bill Monroe, of Johnston, said he voted yes on the measure and would do so again.

But Monroe questioned the district strategy in getting information to voters.

"I live across the street from someone who is very much in support of the schools and she didn't know when it was," he said of the bond issue.

Monroe offered his experience working on the citizens committee to pass the August 2011 public safety bond issue as an example of how the district could improve if another election were to take place. 

"We used $20,000 to $25,000 for yard signs that I did not see, brochures I did not see … videos telling the story," he said. "I think the fact you got 55 percent, the majority of people want to do this, just not the super majority."

Jim Arthur, of Johnston, said he was unable to attend previous meetings on the bond issue.

"I didn't get to meetings the first time," he said. "I think I'm representative of most people, most of the voters won't spend their time."

Arthur said that while he voted in favor of the measure, he thinks other will, too, if the district can show them the need.

"If you get across the needs succinctly, people have to understand what's being done is the most economical approach," he said, suggesting the district mail that plan to voters.

Tabby Rabenberg, of Johnston, said she thinks the district needs to increase parent participation and volunteers when it comes to the bond issue.

"We need to maximize the community partnerships, increase parent volunteers," she said. "I want this to happen, it's very important to our kids, I want our kids to have the best education possible."

Rabenberg suggested having parents man booths to promote the bond issue at athletic events and using social media to get plans out to residents.

The district can bring the bond issue, either with or without changes, back to a public vote as early as April.

The Johnston school board will continue discussing the next steps for facility plans during a work session on Nov. 8.

Board members will likely make a final decision on the next steps of the facilities project by their Dec. 19 board meeting.

Feedback can also be shared via an anonymous online form or by calling the district office at 515-278-0470.

See more stories on the $51 million bond issue and proposed new high school:

• More Details Sought as Community Discusses Failed Johnston School Bond Issue

• Letter to the Editor: Johnston Area Education Association Backs Bond Election
• Letter to the Editor: Proposed Johnston High School is Needed
• What Could Johnston's Proposed $75 Million High School Look Like? Take a Peek
• Have Questions on $51 Million Vote? Johnston Schools to Hold Public Forums to Answer Them
• $51 Million Bond Issue to Be Decided By Johnston School District Voters