After months of discussion with community members and stakeholders, Waverly school district has unveiled the cost of its upcoming bond issue.
The bond referendum will be set to not exceed $89.9 million, and community members will have the chance to vote on the measure May 14.
The district is set to provide more details on the bond issue at a media day next week.
While district officials declined to comment Monday on what could be included in the bond issue and how taxes would be affected, three top priorities were discussed in a December meeting with community members : security, classroom expansion and updates to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Originally, district officials predicted the bond issue would be used to build additional schools due to growing enrollment, but that growth has since slowed down significantly.
Even though both the high school and middle school in Waverly are nearing capacity, upcoming kindergarten classes are projected to be smaller than graduating classes, so the district believes new buildings are no longer necessary at this time.
Still, district officials said both the middle and high schools need additional classroom space, whether that’s done by expanding the current buildings or working within existing space.
By creating more classrooms, the district would have more space for subjects such as career and technical education, instrumental music and special education.
Additionally, in December, Superintendent Cory Worrell said a successful bond issue could allow the district to move school offices from the center of the buildings to the front in order to create more secure entrances.
The district also was considering including updates to the district’s HVAC systems, which Worrell said are fairly outdated. Because these systems are so expensive, it would be difficult to replace them without a bond issue.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
Brothers Alden, left, and Tyler Mays, volunteers with Least of My Brethren, carry a shelf out of a moving truck into Cindy Simon's new apartment in Council Bluffs on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Simon, 45, had been unhoused for about four years before moving into this apartment. Least of My Brethren is a volunteer and donation driven group dedicated to providing people furnished places to live as they come out of homelessness.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jailyn Hagaman, the youth services librarian, reads "The Great Eggscape" during a storytime and Easter egg hunt at the Baright Public Library in Ralston on Friday, March 29, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Huskers keep warm between drills during Nebraska football Pro Day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Malachi Coleman makes a catch while warming up with Dylan Raiola during Nebraska football Pro Day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Preschoolers get a view during a 1-year birthday party for Hope, a reticulated giraffe who had to be raised by her human caregivers, at OmahaÕs Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Silas Dvorak, 4, of Omaha, asks a question about giraffes after giving his birthday card to an employee during a 1-year birthday party for Hope, a reticulated giraffe who had to be raised by her human caregivers, at OmahaÕs Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Noah Waterman (0) and Duquesne's David Dixon (2) go up for the tip during the first half of the Duquesne vs. BYU first round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Ella Dalton (13) misses the ball in center field in the third inning of the Creighton vs. Nebraska softball game at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Nebraska won the game 9-0 in five innings.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Wahoo's Marcus Glock (0) whips the net in celebration following the Wahoo vs. Auburn boy's basketball Class C1 state championship game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Wahoo won the title 49-42 in overtime.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
A Scottsbluff cheerleader on the sidelines in the first half of the Norris vs. Scottsbluff boy's basketball Class B state semifinal game at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Friday, March 8, 2024. Norris won the game 65-47.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Concordia's Jackson Shepherd (12) grabs a loose ball in front of a diving Malcolm's Preston Kucera (0) during the second half of a Class C1 first round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Concordia's Elliotte McCafferty (20) dives for a loose ball with Malcolm's Preston Kucera (0) during the second half of a Class C1 first round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Concordia's Elliotte McCafferty (20) dives for a loose ball with Malcolm's Preston Kucera (0) during the second half of a Class C1 first round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Malcolm's Brixon Meyer (3) ends up on the back of Omaha Concordia's Jackson Thrasher (11) as Malcolm's Maddox Meyer (11) grabs Brixon's legs during the second half of a Class C1 second round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
The Omaha Concordia Mustang cheers during the second half of a Class C1 second round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Ogallala's Mario Bush (3) and Wahoo's Dylan Simons (11) fight for a loose ball during the first half of a Class C1 second round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Wahoo's Marcus Glock (0), left, Ogallala's Sawyer Smith (0), right, and Ogallala's Caleb Castillo (2) (top) all dive for a loose ball during the second half of a Class C1 second round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Ogallala's Jayden Curtis (5), top, fouls Wahoo's Cody Hesser (5) during the second half of a Class C1 second round boys state basketball tournament game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Curtis fouled out on the play.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Gov. Jim Pillen holds a town hall at the All Metals Market in Fremont on Monday, March 4, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Baylor Scheierman (55) hugs Creighton head coach Greg McDermott after being taken out in the final minute of the Marquette vs. Creighton men's basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Creighton won the game 89-75.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Francisco Farabello (5) celebrates afterr a late 3-pointer in the Marquette vs. Creighton men's basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Creighton won the game 89-75.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) dunks the ball in the Marquette vs. Creighton men's basketball game at the CHI Health Center in Omaha on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Creighton won the game 89-75.
ANNA REED, THE WORLD-HERALD
Arielle Nichols, 32, and more than a dozen other people clean out their tents and belongings from behind Holy Family Catholic Church near 17th and Izard Streets on Friday. She and other unhoused people who had been staying at the intersection testified Thursday against a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to camp on public property not designated for camping. “You make this law here, we’ll be forced to hide, go further and further from our resources,” she said.
ANNA REED photos, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police block of Howard Street from 12th to 13th Streets to investigate a fatal shooting in the Old Market in Omaha on Monday, March 4, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE WORLD-HERALD
Overton celebrates their win over Wynot for the Class D2 girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Crofton's Cassie Allen (3), left, and Yutan's Jade Lewis (4) both scramble for a loose ball during the Class C2 girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Millard West Head Coach Marc Kruger hides his displeasure over a foul call as they took on Bellevue West during the Class A girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Millard West celebrates their win over Bellevue West for the Class A girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue West''s bench celebrates a three-point basket by 5 Bellevue West's Danielle Coyer against Millard West during the Class A girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
A tear rolls Wynot's Kinslee Heimes's cheeck as Overton cuts down the net after winning the Class D2 girls state basketball championship game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
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