Voter Information

SPECIAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4TH
to shape the future for the kids of Columbus

Columbus Middle School is now the largest middle school in the state of Nebraska.
Elementary and middle schools in the district are at capacity.
Class sizes are climbing to 28–35 students and could grow larger.
There are 11 new housing developments (1,800 residences) that will be built over the next three years and with a large number of job openings in Columbus, enrollment could grow and estimated 500-600 students.

Construction of a new Intermediate School would alleviate crowding at all elementary schools and the middle school.

The Platte County Elections Commission has set an special election by mail for November 4th. All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail. Ballots must be returned by mail or dropped off at the courthouse by 5pm November 4th.

Frequently asked questions

Where will the new school be built?

The proposed location is on property already owned by CPS, the north side of campus near Columbus Middle School. It would be a separate building with its own playground and outdoor area. The track and football fields currently at CMS would not be affected by the new building.

Why that location? That’s a pretty busy area, isn’t it?

This location was chosen to keep total costs down. Using the land already owned by CPS saves money versus purchasing new land. Is it also saves money to use existing infrastructure like water, sewer, and electricity. The location is also centrally located to make it easier for parents from across Columbus.

What will that do to traffic in the area?

While the new location is centrally located and more economical, it is not without its challenges. Traffic is one of those challenges. The school district has conducted a traffic study and proposed solutions to keep traffic manageable. Those solutions include staggering start times to reduce congestion, separate drop-offs for the two schools (with connecting walkways between them for parents with kids in both schools), as well as traffic flow improvements.

What does this do to educational environment of the 4th and 5th graders?

The new school would be an ‘upper elementary’ school for the 4th and 5th grade students and would be geared toward their educational needs. Grades 4 and 5 have many developmental and educational similarities and there are many educational benefits from grouping them together.

How much does it cost? What will it do to my taxes?

If approved, the bond would add 3.2 cents to the school’s tax levy or ~$32 per $100,000 property evaluation per year. For an average Columbus home value of ~$300,000, property taxes would increase $96 per year. To figure how the bond would affect your taxes, you can multiply the “Valuation of Your Home” by 0.00032.

How does compare to previous years?

Because the public school district has continued to pay down previous bonds, if this bond passes, the district’s tax levy would continue to be in-line with the past four years and would actually be lower than the tax years 2022, 2023, and 2024.

2022 - 1.226958
2023 - 1.224910
2024 - 1.194035
2025 - 1.131166
2026 - 1.086269
2027 - 1.118269 (if bond passes)

Can’t we use a sales tax? What about tax revenue from the casino?

No. Under Nebraska law, new school construction must be done through a tax levy on property taxes approved by voters. Our public schools do not receive tax revenue from the casino.

What happens if this bond issue does not pass?

If this does not pass, the difficulties for the kids of Columbus will continue to get worse. We could begin to see class sizes of 35 or more, making it harder to give every child the attention they deserve. Further overcrowding of our schools could mean lower academic performance, redrawing boundaries for neighborhood schools, and reduction in music, art, P.E. & other programs.

When is the election?