Signature Gathering for Petition to Put $30 Million CCHS Bond Referendum Up for Vote Pacing Well

Efforts to secure signatures for a petition to put a bond referendum before voters this fall, to fund up to $30 million in renovations, upgrades and improvements to Charles City High School, are off to a strong start.

Superintendent Brian Burnight says, within just over a week into the campaign, they’re close to half the signatures required.

A $27 million bond referendum failed to pass in November 2023, with almost a third of the money targeted then for a new performing arts auditorium. Burnight says they’re taking a different approach to building improvements this time around.

Burnight adds that they also want to address basic needs, such as improved security, becoming more ADA compliant, and increasing fire safety.

Burnight also notes that he, as well as members of the Bond Referendum Campaign Committee, are available to talk to civic groups and organizations to explain the bond referendum in detail.

The petition to get the measure on the November 4th ballot failed must be submitted to the Floyd County Auditor’s office by noon, September 19th.

Passage of the bond will require a 60% supermajority YES vote.

*Language for the bond referendum is included below:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Charles City Community School District in the Counties of Chickasaw and Floyd, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000 to provide funds for completing needed upgrades including but not limited to safety, security systems, building code and ADA requirements by removing portions of the existing High School building and reconstructing, building, furnishing and equipping additions, including related remodeling and site improvements; and to remodel, renovate, improve, repair, furnish, and equip other portions of the existing High School?