Q: What is a bond election? A: A school bond election gives individuals an opportunity to vote on paying for the construction and renovation of school facilities. It is a request to give the elected Board of Education members the authority to sell bonds when facilities are needed.

Q: Can the District use the bond proceeds for projects other than those currently listed? A: The District is committed to using the bond proceeds for the two projects listed on the front page. However, if conditions change, the funds may be used for any purpose listed on the ballot including: paying all or a portion of the costs to acquire land; acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping new school facilities; and improving or rebuilding existing facilities. Any change in the use of the bond funds must be approved by a two-thirds majority of board members in a public meeting.

Q: What is the difference between capital funds and bond funds? A: Capital Funds are restricted for capital projects and significant equipment purchases. However, the District does not generate enough funds in capital in a given year to fund a large project, like a new school building, and take care of all other facility needs. This is when the District needs to ask voters to approve a bond. Bonds are debt that allow the District to finance large projects and pay them off over a given period of time. Funds the District receives through bonding are restricted and must be spent on projects which are allowed under the resolutions/parameters set by the Board of Education. A tax is levied each year to make payments on the bonds that are outstanding. Once they are paid off, that tax goes away.

Q: Can funding from the bond be used to pay for day-to-day operations, such as salaries, supplies, programs, etc.? A: No. By law, capital funds, such as money from a bond, cannot be transferred to the general fund or used to pay for day-to-day costs of running a school district. Bond funds may only be used for "capital" projects, like buying land, building facilities, making major capital improvements, and paying for costs tied to construction. Additional capital expenses that are legitimate are materials/equipment needed to furnish new buildings.

Q: How do bonds work? A: The sale of bonds begins with an election to authorize a specific amount - the maximum the district is allowed to sell without another election. The school district sells the bonds when funds are needed for capital projects, usually once or twice a year. Bids are taken from interested buyers, usually large institutional investors, and are sold at the lowest interest rate offered. The rate is based on the district's bond rating: the higher the bond rating, the lower the interest rate to sell the bonds. Principal and interest on the bonds are repaid over an extended period of time with funds from the Debt Service tax rate.

Q: Does the school district immediately incur the debt and levy the tax? A: The bonds do not cost the district anything until they are issued. Even though the voters approve the bond issue, debt is not incurred until the bond is issued. Tax levies, and payments on the bonds do not begin until after they are issued.

Q: How does Iron County School District plan for the future? A: District administration is continually analyzing enrollment growth, current and proposed development in the County, and the condition of current District facilities to determine the need and timing for future projects. A 10-year capital facilities and financing plan outlines the district’s guide for making decisions. View it at: https://5il.co/2sftn

Q: Why is the cost for the same projects so much higher on this bond proposal? A: District personnel work closely with contracted architects to develop an estimated cost for each project when determining the amount of the bond request. The architects assess the current and expected construction climate, compare our project with similar projects that have recently been bid out, and provide a range of possibilities.

Cost increases are not based solely on inflationary changes.  A wide range of unforeseen conditions have a large effect on construction pricing, i.e, labor shortages, materials shortages and delays, fuel costs, etc.  All of these items have historically impacted construction costs at higher levels than general inflation. 

The District has opted to use a very conservative estimate for these projects. Construction costs for school buildings have increased significantly more than general inflation over the last several years, resulting in much higher estimates. If conditions were to change and the projects bid at an amount lower than our estimates and the bond authorization, the District is not required to borrow the fully authorized amount, which would result in a decreased burden on the taxpayers.

Q: What is the cost to the taxpayer? A: The bond will increase annual property taxes on homeowners by $32.36 per $100,000 in value. That’s about $2.70 per month per $100.000 in value.

Q: A new charter school opened in 2024. Did that lower elementary enrollment? A: A charter school, American Preparatory Academy (APA) opened in 2024. District records indicate that as of August 16 only 126 ICSD students moved to APA and 12 were online only.

Q: Birthrates are lower. Does that slow the enrollment increases? A: According to the Gardner Institute at the University of Utah, Iron County is projected to see a 20% increase of student-age population between 2020 and 2060. Growth includes new move-ins, not just birthrates of current residents.

Q: Did voters already vote against the projects on the previous bond proposals? A: The failed 2018 $92 million bond included many items: safety and security, additions at Canyon View and Cedar Middle schools, expansion of Three Peaks preschool, Parowan High athletic facility upgrades; two replacement elementaries; a new preschool; Cedar High additions, alternative high school upgrades, and professional development offices. Voters did not specify reasons for defeating the bond.

 The approved 2021 bond paid for the replacement of East Elementary, additions at Cedar Middle and Canyon View Middle and upgrades at Cedar High.

The 2023 bond was narrowly defeated by 24 votes. The $75.5 million bond included a new elementary school, a high school addition, an alternative programs building, artificial turf and ADA playgrounds. The most controversial proposal was artificial turf. We have no evidence to suggest any single project caused the defeat of the bond nor does the Iron County GOP Executive Committee.

Q: How much does the school district spend per student? A: According to the independent report Project Kids dashboard found on auditor.utah.gov, ICSD spent $9,187 per student in 2023. The average per student in the state is $11,479. ICSD receives $2,580 from local property tax per student. The state average is $4,786 and 37 out of 41 school districts receive more property tax per student than ICSD.