SOLON — The much-discussed bond referendum for the Solon Community School District (SCSD) will go before the voters Tuesday, March 7 after over 530 signatures were collected on a petition asking for the vote. The district only needed 435 valid signatures and Superintendent Davis Eidahl noted volunteers faced challenges in seeking those signatures as the petition drive was held over the holidays, and with harsh winter weather.
During a special meeting of the school board Monday, Jan. 16 the board approved resolutions approving a Revenue Purpose Statement, an election on the issuance of $25,500,000 in general obligation school bonds, an election on a revenue purpose statement to authorize expenditures received from sales tax revenue (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) Fund), an election on the question of continuing to levy a voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment (PPEL) property tax levy, and the publication of a notice of election.
The resolutions passed on a 3-0 vote with Jami Wolf, Adam Haluska, and Tim Brown present; and Dan Coons and Cassie Rochholz absent for the 7:15 a.m. meeting.
Projects
If approved the $25,500,000 would be used to expand the intermediate school, which was built in 2017 and designed for an additional educational wing to be built as enrollment growth dictated. The addition would include seven general education classrooms, one special education classroom and space, one project-based learning room, and a gymnasium. Also, Lakeview Elementary School, built in the 1960s, would be updated mechanically, electrically, and physically bringing the building on-par with the other structures in the district. In addition the former truck shop on the north edge of Solon would be renovated into a dedicated transportation facility to house and maintain the district’s buses and other vehicles. Also, the former middle school/high school and current administrative office building would be demolished due to the significant investments needed to address Americans with Disabilities Act deficiencies and outdated (and expensive to operate) systems. A smaller, energy-efficient, and ADA-compliant administrative office building would be built to replace it. Other projects would include replacing the field turf at Spartan Stadium, which has outlived it’s expected service life and the construction of a multi-purpose large group space for use during the school day as well as by the district’s co-curricular activities, athletic programs, and community youth programs.
Enrollment growth
The district has seen a steady increase in enrollment since 2014 with a ten-year projection based on new housing developments indicating continued growth. Currently the district provides education to 1,451 students with a conservative estimate of 1,626 students by 2028, and an estimate based on the potential impact from housing developments (assuming 65% of lots are developed over the next ten years) places the 2028 enrollment at 1,888. The enrollment forecast projects totals of 1,778 and 2,241 respectively by 2033 with 500 new residential lots anticipated over the next decade.
“The projects identified in the bond are part of our district’s master facility plan to proactively stay ahead of the growth our community is experiencing and the growth acceleration over the next ten years,” Eidahl said. “Renovating the elementary school, which was built in 1966, and adding the final phase addition to the Intermediate School will provide us the necessary space to accommodate an increase in school enrollment while maintaining our smaller class size.”
Tax levy to remain the same
The community approved a bond in 2015 with a property tax rate of $16.35. “Since then,” Eidahl said, “We have maintained our school property tax levy to an amount lower, which is currently at $16.28.” Eidahl explained the district has accelerated the payoff on its debt service, which makes it possible to bond at $25 million without impacting the property tax rate. “We are able to borrow the $25 million without raising taxes over the current rate.” Many have noticed in recent years that their property taxes have increased, however that is due to increases in valuation and not the levy rate.
Informational meetings
Dr. Eidahl will hold a series of town hall informational meetings starting Thursday, Feb. 9 with the Solon Women’s Club at 6:30 p.m. at the Solon Public Library.
Three meetings are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13 at noon in the lobby of the Community Center, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Solon Center for the Arts, and 7:00 p.m. at the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460.
Voter information
In-person early voting will be available at the Johnson County Auditor’s Office, 913 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15 through Monday, March 6.
Absentee ballot request forms can be printed off of the Auditor’s website, https://johnsoncountyiowa.gov/march-7-2023-solon-community-school-district-special-election or requested by phone at 319-356-6004. Forms may be submitted by mail or delivered to the Auditor’s Office by 5:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20.
Dates and deadlines
Friday, Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. – Deadline for Auditor’s Office to receive citizen petitions requesting a satellite absentee voting station. Petitions require 100 signatures of eligible electors. Contact the Auditor’s Office for more information.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 – First day absentee ballots can be mailed and first day in-person early voting is allowed by state law.
Monday, Feb. 20 at 5:00 p.m. – Voter pre-registration deadline and deadline to request a mailed ballot. In-person early voting and Election Day Registration are still available after this deadline.
Monday, March 6 – Last day for in-person early voting at the Auditor’s Office.
Tuesday, Marcy 7 – All domestic mailed absentee ballots must arrive at the Auditor’s Office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. in order to be counted.
Election Day
Only residents of the Solon Community School District are eligible to vote in this election and must vote at their assigned polling place. If you are unsure of where you are to vote, the Auditor’s website has a Precinct and Polling Place Lookup available. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The full text of the ballot is also available on the Auditor’s website (as shown above). Also, the district has a comprehensive webpage at https://www.solon.k12.ia.us/page/scsd-facility-bond-referendum.

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