BOONE, Iowa—The Boone School Board took steps Monday to move ahead with a project for a new elementary school building.  The Board had originally considered moving ahead with the project earlier this year, but held off due to the pandemic.  The Board’s vote Monday was to approve the contract to purchase the property, east of the current dead end of Hancock Drive.  The property, just under 66.5 acres, is owned by Goeppinger Enterprises and will be purchased for $1,993,800.  The purchase is subject to some minor changes in the purchase agreement.

After the Board’s action to purchase the property, the Board did receive a petition with more than 700 signatures, calling for a bond referendum to cover the cost of the proposed new building.  The petition was presented by Chad Houston, who with Dan Gould, have been leading the group of district patrons supporting the project.  The Board’s resolution calls for a $23-million dollar Bond Referendum to be voted on by patrons on March 2, 2021, one of the three dates in 2021 when the state will permit school districts to hold bond referendums.

The School Board already has the funds available to purchase the property.  Board President, Dr. Brian Mehlhaus said under the district’s time frame for paying the current debt, there would be no increase in tax asking for a new elementary building. A new school building would replace the last of the district’s older elementary buildings, Page and Lincoln.

An early concept design for the new proposed elementary project.