Election Day: November 3, 2026
Sumner-Fredericksburg Community School District
Bond Referendum
A Message to Our Community
Education has always been a cornerstone of our communities. The people who call Sumner and Fredericksburg home take immense pride in the achievements of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the partnerships that help our schools flourish.
Last November, our community did not approve a general obligation bond referendum. Some favored the bond issue because they believed in investing in our students and our schools as proposed. Others voted no because they wanted to see more details, a different approach, or a stronger long-term plan. Many from both perspectives agree that something needs to be done to modernize our schools.
Rather than give up, the School Board and administration regrouped and got to work exploring alternative solutions to the challenges our students, teachers, and staff face every day. We formed a board committee. We revisited all aspects of our district’s facility plan. We engaged with community members and learned from their feedback.
We challenged ourselves to create an even better proposal because that's what our students and communities deserve.
We are now asking you to take the next step in our pursuit to provide every S-F student with access to the learning environments, resources, and opportunities necessary to fulfill their potential and become the leaders of tomorrow.
"As a board, we listened, we acted, and we truly want what's best for the students at Sumner-Fredericksburg both now and in the future. This bond will give our kids the resources and facilities they deserve to unlock their full potential."
Jamie Steege
S-F School Board Vice President
Our Proposal
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, residents of the Sumner-Fredericksburg Community School District will vote on a new $16.3 million general obligation bond referendum.
The bond issue will fund facility improvements in Sumner and Fredericksburg, positioning our district to better meet students' needs today and in the future.
The tax impact of an approved bond will be $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable property value. For a home assessed at $200,000, the change would amount to approximately $216.44 per year (or about $18.04 per month).
In addition to the general obligation bond, the S-F School Board unanimously approved the use of $11.5 million that our district receives from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund to also support improvements in our schools. SAVE is generated through a one-cent statewide sales tax, including revenue from high-tourism areas and strong retail economies across Iowa. These funds are allocated to school districts and may be used only for infrastructure and facility improvements.
By leveraging SAVE funds alongside a bond, we can reduce the reliance on local property taxes and create a long-term, sustainable investment without placing the full burden on local taxpayers.
Why We Couldn't Wait
As the board and administration reevaluated our long-term plans, one thing became clear: waiting would have cost our district.
Delaying our decision would have meant losing at least $500,000 that could instead be invested directly in our schools. Our responsibility is to make the most of every opportunity for our students and taxpayers.
Rather than standing still, we chose to move forward. The result is a three-phase facilities plan that allows us to improve our schools today while building toward an even stronger future.
"The bond proposal is a practical, responsible investment in the future of our district and our communities. We listened to what mattered most to our communities, staff, and students, and created a plan that checks all of those boxes. This bond will help ensure our staff and students have safe, secure, and supportive facilities in both communities, spaces that allow them to teach, learn, grow, and have the opportunities they need to succeed."
Mike DeSloover
S-F School Board President
Building the Future at S-F
Solid Foundation. Strong Future.
Phase I: SAVE Bond Improvements
No Property Tax Increase
Our first step in our effort to modernize S-F is already underway.
Thanks to Iowa's SAVE program, which is funded by the statewide one-cent school infrastructure sales tax, we have secured $11.5 million to begin improvements in our schools. This investment is not funded through a property tax increase.
Just as importantly, this phase reflects feedback we received from our community members. You asked for more detail. You wanted to preserve K-4 elementary programming in both communities. You wanted a stronger long-term plan for our current high school campus. And you wanted greater separation between elementary and high school students if a future elementary school is located on that site.
We listened, and our revised plan reflects that valuable input.
Phase I investments include:
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Sumner-Fredericksburg High School
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A new secure main entrance
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A new office area designed for today's high school and future elementary use
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Complete renovation of the choir and band classrooms
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A new special education suite
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Renovation of the art classroom, clay studio, and finishing space
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Creation of modern career and technical education and industrial technology classrooms adjacent to the shop
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A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) chiller system
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ADA accessibility improvements throughout renovated spaces
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Sumner-Fredericksburg Middle School
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New roofing system
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Fredericksburg Elementary School
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New secure main entrance
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As elementary students transition fully to the east side of Fredericksburg Elementary, the west side of the building will begin serving exciting new programs and purposes:
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Future Frontiers, our innovative new charter school
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Community engagement classrooms
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Home of the new No Boundaries Northeast program for 8th grade, which will launch with 25 S-F students
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Phase II: Continuing the Vision
General Obligation Bond
A New Elementary School in Sumner
Construction of a new elementary school on the current high school campus through both an addition and a complete remodel of the south half of the current high school. This project will include:
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A new Early Childhood Center serving pre-kindergarten and kindergarten with a storm shelter
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A new playground with both hard and soft play surfaces
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Renovated classrooms
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A modern media center and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning space
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Expanded special education spaces
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Updated restrooms
The elementary school will be located entirely on the south side of campus, creating greater age-appropriate separation while still allowing efficient sharing of district resources. When complete, this project will allow our district to close the Durant Elementary building.
A Modern High School
All high school students and programs will transition to the north side of campus as part of this project. These improvements prepare students for college, careers, and the workforce of tomorrow.
Highlights will include:
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A new secure entrance and office that is open and visible to all approaching the school on the east side of the building
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A two-story classroom addition
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Removal of the current west wing
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Two new science classrooms and laboratories
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A new agriculture education and science learning space
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A new Family and Consumer Sciences classroom
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A new Business classroom
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A media center featuring collaboration space
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A relocated greenhouse that provides direct access to our agriculture and science programs
Additional District Improvements
Phase II of our facility improvement proposal will include additional HVAC improvements at Fredericksburg Elementary and interior upgrades at the middle school campus.
Phase III: Maintaining Momentum
Voter approval of the general obligation bond in November would not be the end of the investment—it is the beginning.
Once Phase II is complete, the district can continue investing approximately $500,000 in SAVE funds annually to improve our schools. Like Phase I, these dollars come from the state and not from a property tax increase. This provides a sustainable source of funding to continue improving our schools for years to come.
Future investments could include:
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Completing HVAC at Fredericksburg Elementary
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Additional HVAC improvements at the middle school
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Interior renovations across the district
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Classroom updates
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Furniture replacements across our campuses
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Ongoing facility improvements districtwide
Moving Forward—Together
This facility proposal represents months of listening, planning, and collaboration.
It reflects what we heard from our communities. It honors the past while preparing for the future.
Now, we invite you to partner with us once again. Please ask questions, attend community meetings, learn more, and share your ideas.
And when the time comes, we hope you will join us in continuing to build something remarkable together.
Because when our communities come together around our children, we all move forward.
"Last year, both communities spoke and we listened. Together with your help, we designed a better path for the future of Sumner-Fredericksburg. The bond issue will enable our district to provide what you called for. A modern, safe, well-maintained, and effective learning environment for all students, teachers, families, and our communities."
Ken McFarland
S-F School Board
We Want to Hear From You
We value your voice and welcome your input! Please use the form below to share any questions, thoughts, or feedback you may have about the proposed facility plans or the upcoming bond vote.
Your comments will be reviewed by district leadership and our bond team, and may help shape future communication, clarify community questions, and ensure we are addressing the topics that matter most to you. This form is more than a suggestion box — it’s a vital part of our commitment to transparency, two-way communication, and serving our communities well.
We look forward to hearing from you!