November 7, 2023 the voters of Silver Lake approved a bond to improve the facilities and enhance the curriculum of Silver Lake schools. Work has started on indoor and outdoor projects including sports fields and counseling center at the elementary school.

The bond was brought to the voters because, over the years the growing list of needs within the district has continued to grow to include HVAC, plumbing and rooftop replacements, in addition to conversations around lack of parking, traffic flow concerns and the need to update various instructional areas. Lack of space that can accommodate flexibility in adjusting classrooms to updated technology, small groups versus large groups and exposing students to more 21st-Century learning experiences all remain concerns for the district and board of education.

During the summer of 2022, the Board employed DCS Services to conduct a top-to-bottom assessment of our district facilities, including electrical, plumbing, roof, HVAC, structural and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations. Discussions continued into the fall of 2022 and spring of 2023 to include a district facilities committee being formed to help guide conversation and recommendations to the board.

At the August 9, 2023, board of education meeting, the Silver Lake Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution of intent to file for a bond project.

The bond project is requesting $16,365,000 that will focus on the following areas for improvement:

Facilities Infrastructure: HVAC, communications, plumbing, electrical and roof
K-6 facilities: library, early childhood education, kitchen upgrade/expansion, counseling center
7-12 facilities: science labs, robotics, family and consumer science, art and kitchen renovation
Health and Wellness Facilities: weight room
Career and Technical Education Facilities: centralize equipment and security/safety
Outdoor Facilities: Relocating baseball and softball fields, on-campus parking and traffic flow

With the in the bond amount, the tax liability for our patrons is estimated on a conservatively assessed valuation growth of one percent per year. Which breaks down to the following:

On a $150,000 home, your property taxes will increase by approximately $0.18 per day, $5.39 per month, or $64.69 per year.
On a $150,000 commercial property, your taxes will increase by approximately $0.39 per day, $11.72 per month or $140.63 per year.
On 160 acres of irrigated land, your taxes will increase by approximately $0.55 per acre or $87.48 per year.
On 160 acres of grassland, your taxes will increase by approximately $0.11 per acre or approximately $17.84 per year.

2023 Bond Issue

2023 USD 372 Bond