DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools’ $265 million bond referendum will be sent to voters in November.

The DMPS School Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to add the bond referendum to the November ballot. The vote comes after a group of volunteers with the ‘Yes for Des Moines’ campaign garnered support for the bond referendum and collected nearly 7,500 signatures to add the measure to the ballot.

According to school leaders, the bond referendum is needed to carry out its five-year Reimagine Education plan, which aims to enhance student experiences with the expansion of signature schools, the Diploma+ program, as well as improving facilities. Leaders say that the district has seen a reduction of about $16 million in state funding due to declining enrollment over the last several years.

If passed, school leaders say those who own homes valued at $200,000 would pay an estimated $200 more a year in taxes.

The bond referendum will be on the ballot for the November 4, 2025, election.