The “Yes for Des Moines Schools” campaign has gathered more than 3,750 signatures — about halfway to the needed number to put a $265 million bond referendum on the November ballot, the volunteer group’s organizers told Axios on Thursday.
Why it matters: If the petition succeeds, voters’ final decision will affect the metro’s education system for years to come.
Catch up quick: Des Moines Public Schools presented the “Reimagining Education” plan this year after a committee spent months studying how to address declining enrollment, tight budgets and aging buildings.
- The cost and timeline of the original $500 million, 10-year pitch were cut in half last month after school board members considered them.
- The smaller version keeps the same priorities but reduces the scope and timelines.
State of play: The district plans to create “signature schools” that give families the option to select schools emphasizing career pathways like medical and health sciences or engineering. It also plans to:
- Expand access to full-day preschool and day care
- Redesign middle schools to include more hands-on learning and smaller class sizes
By the numbers: Taxes would go up about $200 a year for a home assessed at around $210,000, according to DMPS estimates…