Vote Your Voice – Special Election April 3

An important special election is nearly upon us. On Tuesday, April 3, registered voters within the boundaries of the Ames and Gilbert Community School Districts will go to the polls to determine the future growth and development of their respective school districts.

Whether you have kids in either of the school districts or not, the outcome of this special election is extremely important to our community as a whole.

The Ames community has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and the job growth we have witnessed has been exceptional. The Ames Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate organizations work diligently to promote Ames as a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family.  The Ames and Gilbert schools are a key selling point as we work to attract businesses, workers and a wide variety of amenities to our communities.

As we approach April 3, I urge you to inform yourself on the bond referendums up for vote.

The Ames Community School District's bond referendum is for a new high school, as well as additions to three of the district's elementary schools: Meeker, Mitchell, and Edwards. The bond amount will not exceed $110 million, will not raise taxes, and will require a 60% approval from voters. Additional information on the Ames referendum can be found on the Ames Community School District website (www.ames.k12.ia.us/2018/01/future-ames-high-need-know/).

The Gilbert Community School District's bond referendum will include improvements to the elementary school, the intermediate school, the middle school, the high school, and the district's athletics facilities. The bond amount is $13,885,000 and will extend the current tax rate and not raise taxes throughout the district. Additional information on the Gilbert referendum can be found on the Gilbert Community School District website (www.gilbertcsd.org/district/bond-vote-april-3-2018/).   
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If you haven’t already, I hope you will take the time to learn about these bond referendums and consider how the outcome will impact our community. Then, please take to the polls on April 3 and cast your vote – let your voice be heard!