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North Cedar Community School District — Renovated and new school facilities will ensure our students, and our communities, are prepared for the future.

On November 4, residents of the North Cedar Community School District will have the opportunity to vote to allow the district to extend an existing loan to pay for improvements to Lowden Elementary School and the Jr/Sr High School. The projects, proposed to the school board by a community-led group, will create better learning environments for current and future Knights without raising property taxes.

New & Improved Lowden Elementary

Renovating the 75-year-old part of Lowden Elementary School is more expensive than building new. This portion will be replaced with a new two-story structure so that students at both of our district’s elementary schools have similar experiences.

Fine Arts & Athletics Jr/Sr High School

A new multipurpose activities addition with a full stage will replace the current auditorium, which is too small and does not have the technology to support our fine arts program. When not used for fine arts, it can be used for athletic practices.

Why these projects? Why now?

Knowing that we needed to address some facility needs, the district has been preparing for these projects for several years. In 2022, the district hired OPN Architects to conduct a thorough assessment of all our facilities. The district also convened a community-based committee to review the findings of the assessment and prioritize projects. In 2025, the committee recommended renovations at Lowden Elementary and the Jr/Sr High School because they were the areas of greatest need. Lowden Elementary needs to be improved so it is on par with facilities in Mechanicsville and the secondary school needs additional activity spaces to support fine arts education and extracurricular activities.

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The bond will be an investment in updated learning spaces at Lowden Elementary School and multipurpose flexible performance and practice space for the entire district at the Jr./Sr. High School.

How will we pay for it?

The total project cost is $21 million. The district plans to use a combination of sales and property tax revenue.

Sales Tax: The district will use sales tax funds that come directly from the state for a portion of the project. This will not affect property taxes. Property Tax: The remainder will be paid for using a general obligation bond of $18.9 million. This will replace a current bond, which paid for the new gymnasium and science and fine arts wing at the Jr/Sr High School and a classroom addition at Mechanicsville. It will not create a tax levy increase.

The district intends to maintain its current tax levy rate of $13.48 per $1,000 of taxable property value, which is one of the lowest in our area.

What will the ballot say?

On November 4, 2025, there will be two questions on the ballot related to funding North Cedar Community School District’s proposed facility plan.

The first question asks for authorization to issue a general obligation bond.

“Shall the Board of Directors of the North Cedar Community School District in the Counties of Cedar and Jones, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $18,900,000 to build, furnish, and equip an addition to the secondary building for a multipurpose gymnasium/auditorium, including site improvements; and to demolish, reconstruct, renovate, furnish, and equip a portion of the Lowden elementary building, including site improvements.”

The second question will renew the district’s ability to use the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund (SAVE) sales tax dollars it already receives from the state to fund facility projects.

“In the North Cedar Community School District, the following Revenue Purpose Statement which specifies the use of revenues the North Cedar Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund shall be adopted.”

How will I vote?

Vote Absentee In-Person

In-person absentee voting is available beginning October 15 through 5 p.m. November 3, the day prior to the election. Vote in your county auditor’s office or satellite locations, if available.

Vote Absentee by Mail

Submit requests to receive absentee ballots by mail between August 26 and October 20. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Hand deliver your ballot to the auditor if you do not mail it in time. Request an absentee ballot request form on this page of the Iowa.gov website. 

Vote In-Person on November 4

The only way to vote on Election Day is by casting a vote at your assigned polling place. Contact your auditor’s office or visit this website to confirm your polling place.

Would you like to learn more?

Reach out to our school district with any questions. Contact Superintendent Mark Dohmen at [email protected].

Please also see this Frequently Asked Questions Page to learn more.