Learn About $51 Million Bond Issue for Johnston School District Tonight

Voters in the Johnston school district -- which includes part of Urbandale -- can ask questions at a public meeting on the upcoming Sept. 11 bond referendum.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the  auditorium.

Read all our coverage on the referendum.

The special election will ask residents if the school district can bond $51 million in order to build a new high school at Northwest 100th Street and north of Northwest 62nd Avenue. 

Dave Briden with FRK Architects told parents at the previous public information session that students would be safe in the proposed high school in the case of a fire or tornado.

The three-story high school would be equipped with stairways that will meet code in case of a fire.

"Exiting will not be an issue," Briden said of the stairways and more efficient corridor space.

Interior spaces used for performing arts can be utilized to take shelter from tornadoes.

The new building will also have secure entrances, something the current school does not have.

District officials presented a facility plan which is estimated to cost $122.3 million. The current high school would be remodeled to house eighth and ninth grades, while the current middle school would eventually house students from Wallace and a district-wide preschool.

A majority of the school's financing will come from sales tax and PPEL funds. If the bond issue is approved, residents could see an .