Voters in the Adel-De Soto-Minburn Community School District will decide Tuesday whether to approve $18 million in financing for construction of a new elementary school in Adel.
Polls will be open for Tuesday’s special election from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the following three locations:
- Adel Public Library, 303 S. 10th St. in Adel
- De Soto United Methodist Church, 421 Dallas St. in De Soto
- Minburn United Methodist Church, 705 Chestnut St. in Minburn
District voters may cast their ballots at any of the three vote centers. Voters cannot vote at the Dallas County Auditor’s office on election day.
If voters approve the measure, the district will sell bonds to pay for a new 650-student building that will accommodate second, third and fourth grade classes. The new construction is intended to relieve current enrollment pressures at Adel Elementary, DeSoto Intermediate and the ADM Middle School, according to district leaders.
The new elementary would be built on the 49 acres of land purchased May 31 by the school district along 15th Street near the aquatic center on Adel’s south side. The size of the property would allow for future expansion if needed. If approved by voters, the school would be in operation beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year.
In order to inform school district voters, the ADM administration prepared a 40-slide presentation explaining the current and projected enrollment numbers, which have the district’s school buildings at or above capacity. The district’s 2018-2019 Facility Master Plan and extensive online information about the project were also made available in advance of Tuesday’s bond vote. Early voting began May 16.
Financing for the $18 million elementary school can be accomplished without increasing the debt service tax levy rate or the overall school tax levy rate, according to the district’s financial advisors.
A Yes vote of 60 percent is required for the measure to pass. The district’s last bond referendum in 2014 passed with 84 percent approval. That borrowing paid for additions at the Adel Elementary School, De Soto Intermediate School and Adel Middle School/High School.
Completed absentee ballots must be postmarked by midnight Monday, June 24, the day prior to the election, or they may be delivered to the Dallas County Auditor’s office, 210 N. 10th St. in Adel, on Monday, June 24 between 8 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. or by 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, June 25.
