On the Ballot: November 3, 2026
Norwalk Community School District
BOND REFERENDUM
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, residents of the Norwalk Community School District will vote on a general obligation bond issue not to exceed $65 million.
Revenue provided by the bond will enable our district to:
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Construct a new elementary school to address enrollment growth and prevent overcrowding
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Enhance safety and security at all existing campuses
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Upgrade mechanical systems at Oviatt Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, and Norwalk Middle School
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Establish a new home for our Transportation Department and vehicle fleet
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Support key athletic facility improvements to provide students with more resources and expand accessibility
An approved bond issue will not raise property tax rates.
This bond addresses facility and space needs so our students can learn, participate, and thrive in safe, modern, and effective environments—all without increasing property tax rates.
ADDRESSING OUR NEEDS
Norwalk continues to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and our school district is home to students whom the Iowa Department of Education classified as “high performing” in recent assessments. Our four-year graduation rate (98.3%) tops the state average by more than 10 percentage points.
Total enrollment at Norwalk CSD has risen by more than 38% since 2010-22—an increase of 951 students—and our current student population is 3,442. Enrollment projections indicate our district will gain an additional 544 students, bringing overall enrollment to nearly 4,000 for the 2035-36 school year.
Enrollment at our elementary schools is expected to swell by nearly 250 students through the 2030-31 school year, and by an additional 159 students by 2035-36. We expect the greatest pinch to be felt at Oviatt Elementary, which currently has three preschool classrooms and where our new transitional kindergarten will open next fall.
The need for space will also be an issue at the secondary campus in the coming decade, with enrollment at the middle school alone projected to increase by 118 students over that span. This will create new capacity issues.
Norwalk High School’s enrollment is projected to peak at 1,200 and can be accommodated within the existing capacity.
OUR PROPOSAL
While continued growth is a good thing for Norwalk, it presents unique challenges for our school district.
An approved bond referendum in November will allow us to build a fourth elementary school with a capacity of 750 to house students in 3rd and 4th grade. This project would have a ripple effect by allowing the district to reconfigure grade levels and alleviate future space constraints at Norwalk Middle School.
Under the proposed grade restructuring:
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Oviatt Elementary will serve prekindergarten, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten
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Orchard Hills Elementary will house 1st and 2nd grades
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Lakewood Elementary will serve 5th and 6th grades
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Norwalk Middle School will be occupied by 7th and 8th grades
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Norwalk High School will remain with grades 9-12
Approximately 65% of the bond proceeds will be used for the new elementary school, which would open its doors to 3rd and 4th grade students for the 2031-32 school year.
The safety of students and staff is a top priority for the Board of Education and administration. A portion of the bond funds will be used to enhance security systems and equipment at all our campuses. This will include safety film for doors and windows, weapons detection software, floor-anchored barricades, and new cameras.
An additional $5.5 million in improvements is planned for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at Oviatt Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, and Norwalk Middle School. These changes will ensure students continue to have a comfortable learning environment while improving energy efficiency.
Our district’s Transportation Department is currently located in a facility shared with the City of Norwalk under an intergovernmental agreement that will expire in August 2029.
With growing demands on both the city and our district, more space is needed by both parties. As a result, the bond issue will provide $10 million to establish a new facility that can accommodate our transportation needs and fleet of buses and vans. This will provide adequate space for vehicle storage, maintenance, and department personnel.
Bond revenue will also support upgrades to our athletic facilities, including indoor hitting and pitching facilities at the baseball and softball complex, and a practice turf field for multiple activities. These changes will provide our students with more resources and expand accessibility for practices and competitions.
NO TAX RATE INCREASE
A priority for the board and administration is maintaining fiscal responsibility for our taxpayers. One of the most important tools in that effort is the district’s debt service levy, which has been steady at $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value since 2013.
This levy has been used to fund voter-approved projects, such as new facilities and major improvements, while being managed to avoid sharp increases in property tax rates. With intentional long-range planning, the district has strategically used tools such as surplus levy resolutions to reduce interest costs and build financial flexibility.
In addition, the district will retire an existing general obligation bond in fiscal year 2028, which creates debt capacity within the current levy.
Due to these efforts and continued growth in property valuation, Norwalk CSD is positioned to use the existing $4.05 debt service levy to support the proposed November bond referendum without increasing the tax rate. This tax-neutral approach reflects years of careful financial stewardship and a commitment to balancing student needs with community impact.
Project Timelines
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*All timeline estimates are subject to change depending upon a variety of factors, including design, weather conditions, and regulatory reviews and permitting.
