News Summary
The Dubuque Community School District is debating the potential closure of Jefferson Middle School amid significant financial issues. A vote on a proposed $70 million bond to support a new middle school is planned for next week. Superintendent Amy Hawkins highlights declining enrollment at Jefferson and the higher cost of educating its students as critical factors in the discussion. The consolidation could save the district between $1.9 million and $2.5 million annually. Informational sessions for community feedback are planned as the district addresses these challenges.
Dubuque – The Dubuque Community School District is facing critical financial challenges that have led to the consideration of closing Jefferson Middle School. The School Board is scheduled to vote next week on whether to place a $70 million general obligation bond on the ballot for the November 4 election, which, if approved by at least 60% of district voters, will help fund a new $121.9 million middle school at the site of Washington Middle School.
If the bond measure is successful, it will be combined with $51.9 million borrowed from the district’s 1-cent sales tax (SAVE fund). The new facility is expected to serve as a feeder school alongside Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School, effectively replacing Jefferson Middle School. However, discussions among board members suggest that Jefferson’s closure is imminent regardless of the bond’s outcome due to ongoing financial and facility concerns.
According to district Superintendent Amy Hawkins, declining enrollment at Jefferson poses additional challenges, with the number of students decreasing by approximately 30% since 2020. Currently, Jefferson has 374 students enrolled, while Roosevelt Middle School has 1,146 students and Washington Middle School hosts 603 students. The cost to educate students at Jefferson is significantly higher, at $20,000 per pupil, compared to $15,000 at Roosevelt and $15,000 at Washington.
The potential consolidation of the middle schools is projected to save the district between $1.9 million and $2.5 million annually. Board Member Anderson Sainci highlighted the urgency of addressing the financial losses, emphasizing that the district cannot afford to operate in such a deficit.
While the closure of Jefferson Middle School will not occur immediately, the aging infrastructure and the financial burden of necessary updates make its long-term operation challenging. The district is currently contemplating new middle school boundary lines to facilitate the transition and create a cohesive feeder system that aligns with the high schools.
This decision comes on the heels of previous bond referendums, including an unsuccessful attempt for a proposed $150 million bond in 2023, which aimed to fund various educational projects, including the establishment of a new middle school. The current bond proposal has prompted the district to provide a tool for residents to calculate the potential impacts on property taxes, estimating an increase of about $1 per $1,000 of taxable value.
As the district considers these significant changes, educators and administrators are aware that additional updates may be necessary, particularly as state funding has not kept pace with inflation, and declining enrollment remains a pressing issue. The community is encouraged to participate in discussions regarding the proposed changes, as informational sessions are planned for the near future.
The overarching goal of the Dubuque Community School District is to ensure that students receive a high-quality education while maintaining operational efficiencies amidst challenging financial circumstances.
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Additional Resources
- KCRG: Middle School Closure Among Possible Recommendations
- Wikipedia: Dubuque, Iowa
- CBS2 Iowa: Dubuque Community School District Bond Referendum
- Google Search: Dubuque Community School District
- KWWL: Dubuque School District Considers Middle School Consolidation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dubuque
- KCRG: Closing Dubuque Middle School Could Save District
- Google News: Dubuque Middle School Closure
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