Why a bond proposal now?

As the 2025–2026 school year begins, our schools are once again filled with the energy and excitement of students and staff returning to learning. Hallways are buzzing, classrooms are full, and thanks to strong community support, we’re welcoming everyone into buildings that are safer and more secure than ever before.

Behind the scenes, our district’s security team has been working hard to ensure every building and event is both welcoming and protected. Their efforts are supported by a multi-layered approach to school safety — one that includes updated protocols, relationship building, and continued investment in technology and infrastructure. Much of this has been made possible through taxpayer support, and we want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the community for making these improvements possible.

Over the past several years, the district has added key safety features to our schools, including:

• Protective window film to delay unauthorized entry
• Advanced security camera systems across campuses
• Access control technology on building exteriors — and now, expanded to interior doors — allowing us to secure multiple entry points instantly from a central system

These upgrades are not just about responding to incidents but about creating a secure environment that prevents issues before they arise.

The district also continues to utilize the OK2Say anonymous reporting platform, encouraging students and families to report concerns such as threats, troubling behavior, or a student in crisis. This service is monitored 24/7 and connects directly with our security personnel and school resource officers, enabling swift and appropriate responses.

But safety is not just about hardware and systems. It’s about people. Our staff are building strong relationships with students and families every day, creating a culture where students feel connected, supported, and safe.

Your continued support for our schools directly contributes to the well-being of every student and staff member who walks through our doors. We remain committed to being responsible stewards of that investment.

Here’s to a safe, secure, and successful 2025–2026 school year.

Scott Beckman

Executive Director of Safety and Security

The district issues bonds to fund building upgrades that cannot be support by the General Fund or the Sinking Fund revenues alone. Bond funding allows students to benefit from safe and updated spaces. This phased approach has already delivered substantial improvements since voters approved the 2019 bond proposal.

• The district has over 1.55 million square feet of classroom and office space in 18 facilities. In addition, we have 467 acres of land. Through the General Fund and Sinking Fund alone, we do not have the resources to support maintaining or improving these buildings. 
• The November 4, 2025 Bond Proposal would authorize bonds to address long-identified facility needs: HVAC upgrades for elementary schools, modern learning spaces, enhanced safety, and increased access to technology and transportation. These physical improvements directly impact the long-term educational environment and student experience, even though the funds cannot be used for operating expenses.
• The district's phased facilities plan has already generated substantial improvements since the 2019 bond proposal. This plan allows bonds to be issued in series, and if approved, bonds issued as part of the 2025 Bond Proposal would also be issued in series to continue this progress. 

1. Opportunities for improvement:

• Elementary improvements
• Enhance learning and student spaces to align with curriculum advancements 
• Enhance performance spaces for fine arts and athletics
• Continual safety and security enhancements 
• Career and technical opportunities 
• Upgrades to outdoor spaces 
• Early childhood education program expansion to meet the needs of the community
• Replacement of existing building systems, ensuring aging infrastructure continues to be addressed

2. Maintain the 7.0 mills overall debt millage rate - community members felt it would not be responsible to borrow an amount that would require an increase in the overall debt millage rate. 

3. Prioritization of potential projects. 

By using the RAMS XII Strategic Plan as a guide:

• Our Strategic Plan was rooted in community conversations involving hundreds of stakeholders, including students. 
• Bond projects prioritize student readiness, and this bond proposal would further our strategic pillars and priorities of: Academic Excellence, Wellness and Preparedness, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement, Collaborative Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness. 
• You can learn more about Strategic Plan - RAMS XII Here

By forming a community committee:

• We gathered community input- a wide cross-section of community members forms a Community Input Committee with district staff. The Committee met five times to evaluate opportunities across the district, provide feedback, and make a recommendation to the Board of Education regarding potential facility improvements. 
• The recommendation of the Committee and District Administration was presented to the Board of Education for consideration at the July 14, 2025 Board meeting. The scope of the potential bond projects was approved at the August 12, 2025 Board meeting. The Board of Education also formally called for a bond election at the August 12, 2025 Board meeting. 

By having ongoing stakeholder conversations:

• We focused on validating input and alignment- we are having continual conversations to ensure a variety of ideas and voices are included. 
• The final proposal details were the responsibility of the District Administration and the Board of Education. 

Our community will consider a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025 election ballot. This proposal would authorize the district to borrow $230 million for district-wide improvements, that would require an estimated zero mill net increase over the 2025 debit mileage. The bond proposal furthers RAMS XII, our strategic plan, with pillars focused on: Building for the Future and Advancing Excellence.

What is a bond proposal and how can funds from a bond be spent?

• A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its voters to consider authorizing the district to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures. 
• Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on projects that are generally described in the Proposal, such as new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, instructional technology, furnishings, equipment, and other capital needs. 
• Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks.
• Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds, and expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.