PANORA, Iowa — The Panorama School District is now collecting signatures to place a $19.6 million bond referendum on the November ballot that will fund multiple projects for the elementary, middle, and high schools. 

The district said a comprehensive assessment was completed earlier this year by architects and engineers which determined what the school buildings needed. 

This includes expanding the entrance to the elementary school to create a more secure entrance and installing a new roof. Leaks are common throughout the building when rain falls. 

The district will also update HVAC systems throughout the schools. 

Superintendent Kasey Huebner also wants to improve students’ experience in the district. He said around 40 percent of the senior class a couple of years ago went right into the workforce after graduation. Therefore, he wants to invest more in trades. 

This includes updating the woodshop classroom, which he said is currently undersized. He also wants to expand their agricultural spaces and move their art rooms to more central parts of the schools. 

Other projects the district hopes to complete will benefit the entire town because they are spaces community members frequently use, like the gym and playgrounds. 

The district proposed expanding the secondary building to create a new gym. The district is also planning to transform the two playgrounds at the elementary school into accessible playgrounds for students of all abilities.

“Recess is the most rewarding part of the day. It’s the most motivating part of the day because it’s so social and so giving these kids opportunities to be social that go beyond the classroom is hugely beneficial for all kids,” said early childhood special education teacher Kelly Nunn. 

The tax rate for this bond would be $1.96 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Residents can calculate their specific cost here. 

The district needs 168 signatures on the petition for the bond referendum to end up on the November 4th ballot. So far, they have collected 160.