Question 1

What projects are included in the proposal?

Accepted Answer

The proposal includes three primary components:A new K–4 elementary school on the west side of the districtA new grades 5–6 intermediate schoolSecure entrance improvements at the district’s remaining schoolsThe proposal has been intentionally simplified to focus on the district’s most immediate facility and enrollment needs.

Question 2

How is this proposal different from the May 2025 proposal?

Accepted Answer

The previous proposal included a larger scope and additional projects. Community members told the district that the plan felt too large and that they wanted the work to be more focused and phased over time.In response, the district reduced the proposed investment from approximately $127 million to $95 million and narrowed the scope to two new schools and secure entrance improvements.

Question 3

Will the proposal increase the school district’s tax levy?

Accepted Answer

The district’s plan is to complete the proposed projects without increasing its current overall tax levy.The Board of Education has committed to maintaining the district’s levy at its current level while using existing financial capacity within the district’s budget to make the bond payments.

Question 4

How can the district borrow $95 million without increasing the tax levy?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska school districts may transfer up to 14 cents of levy authority from the General Fund to the Building Fund.Because the district has controlled operating expenses, paid off previous debt and maintained relatively stable staffing and programming costs, it has created the financial capacity to shift those funds toward facility needs. Those dollars would be used to make the payments on the proposed bond without adding to the district’s overall tax levy.

Question 5

Does that mean my property tax bill will not increase?

Accepted Answer

The district is committing not to increase its tax levy because of this proposal. However, an individual property owner’s tax bill may still change if the assessed value of the property changes or if another taxing entity changes its levy.The school district controls its tax levy. It does not determine the assessed value of homes, businesses or other property.

Question 6

What is the difference between property valuation and the tax levy?

Accepted Answer

Property valuation is the assessed value assigned to a property through the county assessment process.The tax levy is the rate established by each taxing entity and applied to that valuation. A property tax bill may increase when a property’s valuation rises, even when the school district’s levy remains unchanged.

Question 7

Why does the district need additional school space?

Accepted Answer

Enrollment continues to grow, and district leaders expect the number of students served by South Sioux City Community Schools to be higher during the 2026–2027 school year.The district has also welcomed more than 50 students following the closure of St. Michael School, in addition to families who have recently moved into the community. A new grades 5–6 intermediate school would provide additional capacity throughout the district.

Question 8

Why build a grades 5–6 intermediate school?

Accepted Answer

Moving fifth- and sixth-grade students into a dedicated intermediate school would create additional space in the district’s elementary schools and middle school.It would also provide students with a learning environment designed specifically for the transition between elementary and middle school.

Question 9

Why is a new elementary school needed?

Accepted Answer

Several of the district’s elementary facilities are aging and no longer provide the space, infrastructure or long-term efficiency needed to serve students.The proposed K–4 elementary school would replace the district’s two oldest elementary buildings while providing space for approximately 600 students on the west side of the district.

Question 10

Why are secure entrances included?

Accepted Answer

The district wants every school to have an entrance that better manages visitor access and provides an additional layer of safety for students and staff.Secure entrance improvements would be made at existing schools that are not being replaced through the proposal.

Question 11

Why were other projects removed?

Accepted Answer

Community feedback indicated that the previous proposal included too many projects at one time. In response, the district removed several components, including a new early childhood facility and broader renovations at the middle school and Dakota City Elementary School.Those needs have not necessarily disappeared, but they are not included in this proposal. The district is focusing first on enrollment capacity, aging elementary facilities and secure entrances.

Question 12

Has the district taken other steps to manage its finances?

Accepted Answer

The district has paid off previous debt, renegotiated contracts, controlled operating expenses and avoided adding significant new staffing or programming costs.District leaders believe those steps have created the financial flexibility needed to address facilities without increasing the overall tax levy.

Question 13

Could the district’s levy eventually be lowered?

Accepted Answer

The proposed financing structure may provide opportunities to refinance the bonds in future years if interest rates and market conditions are favorable.Any future levy decision would be made by the Board of Education based on the district’s financial position, outstanding debt and annual budget needs. The current commitment is that the proposal will not increase the district’s overall tax levy.

Question 14

When will the community receive more information?

Accepted Answer

The district will provide detailed information and opportunities for community engagement throughout August, September and October.This will include presentations, community meetings, updated frequently asked questions and information explaining the projects, costs and financing structure.

Question 15

When is the election?

Accepted Answer

The proposal will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot.

Question 16

Where can I ask additional questions?

Accepted Answer

Community members will be able to submit questions through the district’s facilities information webpage (located at the bottom of this page) and during upcoming meetings and presentations.The district will continue updating these FAQs as new questions are received.

2026 BOND REFERENDUM

South Sioux City Community Schools

THE ELECTION DATE IS
NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026!

NO TAX LEVY
INCREASE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What projects are included in the proposal?

How is this proposal different from the May 2025 proposal?

Will the proposal increase the school district’s tax levy?

How can the district borrow $95 million without increasing the tax levy?

Does that mean my property tax bill will not increase?

What is the difference between property valuation and the tax levy?

Why does the district need additional school space?

Why build a grades 5–6 intermediate school?

Why is a new elementary school needed?

Why are secure entrances included?

Why were other projects removed?

Has the district taken other steps to manage its finances?

Could the district’s levy eventually be lowered?

When will the community receive more information?

When is the election?

Where can I ask additional questions?

HAVE A QUESTION?

2026 BOND REFERENDUM

South Sioux City Community Schools

THE ELECTION DATE IS NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026!

NO TAX LEVY INCREASE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What projects are included in the proposal?

How is this proposal different from the May 2025 proposal?

Will the proposal increase the school district’s tax levy?

How can the district borrow $95 million without increasing the tax levy?

Does that mean my property tax bill will not increase?

What is the difference between property valuation and the tax levy?

Why does the district need additional school space?

Why build a grades 5–6 intermediate school?

Why is a new elementary school needed?

Why are secure entrances included?

Why were other projects removed?

Has the district taken other steps to manage its finances?

Could the district’s levy eventually be lowered?

When will the community receive more information?

When is the election?

Where can I ask additional questions?

HAVE A QUESTION?

THE ELECTION DATE IS
NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026!

NO TAX LEVY
INCREASE