Question 1

How was the decision made to ask voters to consider a bond referendum?

Accepted Answer

In 2021, the district partnered with Martin Gardner Architecture and KCL Engineering to conduct a comprehensive assessment and identify the most pressing needs in our schools. A facility task force that includes community members was also created to study these issues and provide recommendations to the School Board.

Question 2

How will the general obligation bond funds be used?

Accepted Answer

If at least 60% of voters approve the bond referendum, the district will be able to use up to $9.8 million to fix the most pressing facility and infrastructure needs in our schools. This list includes mechanical and control systems that are in poor condition, electrical equipment that is outdated, and plumbing and safety equipment in need of replacement.

Question 3

How would a general obligation bond affect property taxes?

Accepted Answer

With an approved bond referendum on November 4, 2025, property taxpayers in the Starmont Community School District would see an impact of $2.30 on every $1,000 of taxable property value.

Question 4

How does the district’s levy rate compare to others?

Accepted Answer

Currently, Starmont CSD’s levy rate is the second lowest in the Tri-Rivers West Conference, at $10.77 per $1,000 of taxable value. This is well below the conference leader at $15.69, and lower than the state average.

Question 5

What was the HVAC breakdown that happened last year?

Accepted Answer

Last winter, a leak was discovered in the tunnels in one of the main hot water distribution lines. The boilers had to be turned off, and the lines were drained to fix the leak. Because the heat was turned off, wind entered through one of the univents (heaters) in the classroom, causing the fluid in the lines to create another leak in the radiator-like tubing of the univent.  When the boiler was turned on,  hot water flooded the classroom on February 5 through the univent leak.  The fluid in the lines has a chemical in it that ruined the carpet in the classroom.

Question 6

Why is this project not being done in phases, allowing for a "test drive" of the equipment before fitting out the entire school?

Accepted Answer

The project will need to be done in phases, to a certain extent, as the building is too large to complete in one summer. The contractors will move around the school throughout the construction duration, but there are a few reasons why it is best to complete the whole system as one project instead of separate "test" projects:

1. Based on the age and condition of the existing systems, and the failures that are already being seen, time is of the essence to complete this project outside of an emergency, which would be a huge cost to the district.
The middle/elementary school heating hot water piping has had a section of piping that has catastrophically failed already, causing classroom flooding and facility damage. Unfortunately, this failure is an indication of the condition of the rest of the piping, and it is unclear how much time will pass before other sections fail in the same manner.
 The high school system is much older, and some of the equipment is already abandoned or operating in a way that limits fresh air from entering the classrooms, preventing the code-required amounts of ventilation air required for the teachers/students.
Piping for both systems is currently located in the tunnel. Under this project, the piping in the tunnel would be abandoned, and all new piping would be routed overhead. With the current classroom units being fed from the tunnel, it would be difficult to retrofit with a multi-year phased approach.
 
 2. Cost efficiencies and cohesiveness are lost if a project has to be rebid multiple times.
The school district could have to deal with multiple contractors working on the same systems across the phases.
Contractors will charge for each phase to mobilize their crews and equipment on site.

3. It is hard to draw the line for where a "test" system starts and stops. Few systems can be implemented without more costly infrastructure changes to the school, and each system has its own infrastructure requirements, so any system installed would need to be heavily modified to switch to a different system.
 
 4. The school board completed an in-depth review, facilitated by MODUS Engineering, of the different systems that would work given the layout and structure of the building. The board then selected the system that would best suit the current and future needs of the school.
 The board reviewed (9) different systems and completed (2) site visits to other schools to view the top contending systems. The board also talked with the maintenance personnel at the schools to get their opinions on their respective systems so that they had a good deal of confidence in their selection.
 The Airedale/AHU/RTU combination system was selected best balanced cost, longevity, and future maintenance needs for the school.
 AHUs and RTUs are already in use at Starmont, and the Airedale unit is well vetted with over 1,000 units installed in several schools across the state of Iowa since the first in 2003. The board's site visit to Edgewood Colesberg (where Airedales are installed) helped to solidify their decision to use this system.
 
 5. Specifically looking at the Airdale classroom system, the minimum amount of work necessary for a test installation already touches most of the building. 
For the middle/elementary school, all of the heating water piping within the tunnels needs to be removed and rerouted above the ceiling to avoid catastrophic failure, as was seen in the recent hot water leak. This means the unit in every classroom will need to be replaced or opened up and reconnected to the new system. 
For the high school, it can and likely will be phased to complete a switchover from steam heat (inefficient and becoming more difficult/costly to maintain) to hot water heat to match the newer middle/elementary school systems. However, one of the steam boilers will have to be removed to provide space for one/two of the new hot water boilers, and at that time, the contractor will have to remove enough steam-powered units to not overload the remaining boiler, which may be up to half of all of the high school heating equipment.

6. The money for each portion of the project would still need to be borrowed, as it will still exceed the school's annual budget for this type of work. If the full sum is not borrowed at this time, the bond process will have to be repeated multiple times, costing the school more money in the long term.

Question 7

What happens to energy costs when switching to a new HVAC system that includes air conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Energy costs will likely go up with the addition of air conditioning. Added costs will be mitigated as much as possible, given the use of efficient cooling systems, more efficient heating systems than what exist at the school currently, and a new control system that will allow better control and optimization of energy use.

Question 8

How many bids has the school received for the project and can they be posted publicly?

Accepted Answer

The proposed cost for replacing the heating and cooling system, as indicated in the news release, is a preliminary cost opinion based on projects of a similar type in eastern Iowa.

The cost opinion was provided to help the district budget and decide on an amount to borrow for the November bond referendum, not to finalize a payment amount or lock in a contractor. If the bond passes, the final competitive contractor bids would be expected to be received in the spring of 2026.

Question 9

Why isn't a mini split system the right choice for Starmont?

Accepted Answer

A mini split system does not have adequate provisions for outside air exchange that meet state building code requirements. An outside air exchange system would need to be engineered into the building, but could be achieved by installing forced air systems or right-sized operable windows.

The current building was not designed to have cooling or electric heat. The electrical system would need to be engineered and revised to accommodate the additional power demands required to utilize a mini split system. This would require new panels, wiring, and breakers at a minimum, or a completely new electrical service at a maximum.

A mini split system cannot be used to effectively heat a school building. Since it would not be able to meet the district's heating needs, this would not solve the current boiler and piping system issues for an occupied building.

To meet state code requirements for public buildings and the required bidding process, an engineered design of the building's mechanical and electrical systems would be required to determine the requirements for a mini split option or any other option.

The Mini Split system is an 8-10 year building cooling solution at best, and it alone would still not address the code-required outside air exchange and current building heating issues. The system planned with an approved bond referendum would be a 25- to 35-year solution.

The mini split system could also have the potential for more maintenance costs to the district than the proposed solution.

Question 10

Why should we move forward with these projects now?

Accepted Answer

By acting now, we can address our needs and allow our schools to better serve future generations of  Starmont CSD students. Delaying the proposed bond referendum projects will lead to higher costs later due to inflation and rising material and labor costs, among other factors.

Question 11

The estimated cost for HVAC upgrades is $13.5 million. How much would the same project cost in future years if the November 4 bond vote fails and the School Board brings it back before the voters in the future?

Accepted Answer

2026: $13,500,000 (Current estimate for 2026 bidding)
2027: $14,580,000
2028: $15,746,400
2029: $17,006,112
2030: $18,366,600
2031: $19,835,929

*Estimates are based on 8% escalation based on recent trends and current economic uncertainty.

Question 12

What is the question that will appear on the ballot?

Accepted Answer

Voters will see the following question on the ballot on Tuesday, November 4, 2025:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Starmont Community School District in the Counties of Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, and Fayette, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,800,000 to provide funds to improve the HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in its existing educational facility?

Question 13

When is election day?

Accepted Answer

The election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and polling locations can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. A valid ID is required to vote.

Question 14

How do I register to vote?

Accepted Answer

Eligible voters must complete a voter registration form and return it to their county auditor's office before election day.

Question 15

Can I cast an absentee ballot in this election?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Registered voters may request a mailed absentee ballot ahead of election day through their county auditor's office.

To receive a mailed absentee ballot, complete a request form and return it to the auditor’s office. Ballots will be mailed starting October 15. The deadline to request a mailed ballot is October 20.

All ballots must be received by the auditor’s office before the polls close on election day (November 4) to be considered for counting.

In-person absentee voting will be available beginning on October 15 at the county auditor’s office. This will be available weekdays during regular business hours until Monday, November 3.

STARMONT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOND REFERENDUM

ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 4, 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS