WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — West Des Moines voters will decide on a $135 million bond referendum that could help fund eight district projects, including a new activities facility and a new performing arts center.

Superintendent Matt Adams said the projects will help students succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

“We know the research is clear that when you get engaged in your school beyond just going to class, great things happen for them, greater success rates for them, more engagement, more sense of belonging and welcoming. And that’s what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said.

Modernizing Classrooms and Buildings

A majority of the bond money, $102.1 million, would go to modernizing district buildings and classrooms. The district said it will focus on updating classrooms to ensure there are similar opportunities and resources for all students, regardless of their school’s location.

The district posted 360-degree images to show voters what updated classrooms look like at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

This part of the bond will also allow the district to reconfigure the main entrance at Valley High School for enhanced safety and security.

New Multipurpose Activities Facility

The district is planning to use $35.4 million to construct a new multipurpose activities facility on district-owned land just south of the West Des Moines Public Library.

The two-level facility would feature more than 75,000 square feet of space.

New Performing Arts Center

A new mid-sized performing arts center would cost $13 million. It will hold 500 seats and will be located at Indian Hills Junior High School. The district said it can seat more people than the performing arts center at Stilwell Junior High, but fewer people than the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School.

Upgrading Track & Field

The district would use $3.3 million to upgrade the outdated track and field facility at Valley Southwoods Freshman High School. This includes replacing the outdated asphalt track with a modern all-weather surface. Creating a second 400-meter track will free up the track at Tiger Field, according to the district.

Updating Elementary Playgrounds

$3 million will be used to update and modernize all playgrounds at district elementary schools.

Staplin Performing Arts Center Upgrades

The district will use $1.2 million to upgrade technology and equipment at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School.

New Storage Facility

$1 million is slated to construct a new band and multipurpose equipment storage facility at Valley Stadium.

Videoboard

The remaining $800,000 will help install a new videoboard at Valley Stadium to replace the aging board currently in place.

More information on all of these projects can be found on the district’s website.

If the bond is passed, property taxes in West Des Moines would increase by $1.52 and will be $13.74 in total. The district said that with this increase, West Des Moines would still have the lowest property tax rate in the Des Moines metro.

“The students deserve, the families deserve, and the teachers deserve to have spaces that ensure high-quality education is occurring each and every day in our school. That’s our mission. That’s why we’re here- to educate, empower, and inspire lifelong learners,” said Adams.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 4th. Voters can find their polling place at the Secretary of State’s website. Early in-person voting continues through November 3rd in Polk County at the new election facility on Euclid Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.