DES MOINES, Iowa — The November 4th election is now less than a week away where voters will decide whether Des Moines Public Schools’ Reimagining Education Plan will go through or not.

It would cost $200 a year in property taxes for the average homeowner in the district for the next 20 years. The bond would provide updates and renovations to the district. 

Moulton Elementary School, in the River Bend neighborhood, would be the only school in the district that would get completely torn down and rebuilt in the proposed plan. It would cost $42 million of the $265 million proposed district plan.

On Wednesday night, Moulton Principal Eddie McCulley, hosted a public tour to show anyone who was interested in why the school needs the upgrade.

Part of this school was built in 1904, other parts like the basement are much older. And it shows in some areas. 

“We can limp through anything, right? We can make anything work, and we do. So the word ‘need’… I think we need to be rebuilt if we’re going to do the school, the Moulton Arts Academy, with integrity,” McCulley said. 

The new building would be a signature school, grades K through 8th. It would be the first of its kind in Des Moines, offering majors or focuses like music, dance, theater arts and drama and creative writing. 

“I think we need to do right by our kids and families. I think we need to do right by our neighborhood. I think this neighborhood deserves a new building,” he said. “This at one time was the gem of the city when it was North High School. And so there’s an opportunity right now to again make it the gem of the city.”

In recent years, Moulton has dealt with the struggles of a 121 year old building. McCully himself has painted murals inside, and the district has made several small renovations. But he says more is needed.

“It’s like lipstick on a pig. I’ve dressed it up and made it fancy. I made sure that it looked like a space that was for kids. But it’s also dilapidated and old and falling apart,” McCulley said. “We had ceiling tiles falling out of the ceiling yesterday, and it was a light rain. Does it make sense to continue to put money into the Model T or buy a new car? I think it’s time for this neighborhood, and I do think that our neighborhood deserves this opportunity.”

McCulley says he knows it’s been a complicated last few months with Des Moines Public Schools and former Superintendent Ian Roberts. But he says he wants the vision to continue forward.

“Everybody showed up the next day. Teachers and students alike, nothing shifted. The intention of our mission hasn’t shifted at all” Moulton’s principal said. “I believe that this is us telling our kids and our families that we believe in you. We really authentically want to grow and learn collectively. We do this together. This is really about believing in our kids.”

If this is passed on Tuesday, they predict the construction would start after this school year, and it would take about two years to complete. In the meantime, these students would be moved and bused over to the Kurtz building on the southside of town. 

McCulley says if it does not pass, Moulton will not be torn down. He said that is a rumor.