Why is the bond issue needed?
Because Our Kids Deserve Good Schools.
South Sioux City Community Schools serves nearly 3,800 students—and that number is projected to grow by 500 more students over the next 10 years. At the same time, many of our buildings are significantly older than the national average, and it has been over 25 years since our last major capital improvements.
We are a community that values People, Place, and Programs—and our facilities should reflect that pride. This bond represents a reinvestment in safe, welcoming, and adaptable schools that will serve current and future generations.
The bond issue is needed because it addresses our most pressing needs, ensures opportunities for every student, and strengthens the South Sioux City community for generations to come.
Addressing Our Needs
Our facilities are aging, overcrowded, and increasingly expensive to maintain. Just like our homes, school buildings need ongoing repair and modernization to remain functional and safe. Roofs leak. Heating and cooling systems age. Electrical and plumbing systems wear out. These problems don’t go away — they get worse and more expensive the longer we wait.
At the heart of this proposal is the need to improve safety and security for every child and staff member in our district. While our schools are currently safe, we must modernize security systems and update infrastructure to align with today’s best practices. We must also address overcrowding — more than half of our schools are already at or above capacity. Children cannot thrive in classrooms that are both out-of-date and overcrowded.
Simply put, it no longer makes financial or educational sense to pour money into buildings that are too small, too outdated, and too costly to renovate. Delaying action will only increase long-term costs for taxpayers and decrease the quality of education for our children.
Our schools need to have safe and secure entrances, none of our schools have a secure vestibule that channels visitors to through the main office.
Providing Opportunities
This bond issue is about more than buildings — it’s about providing real, meaningful opportunities for every student in South Sioux City.
Our kids deserve learning environments that are up-to-date, equitable, and aligned with the demands of today’s world. Whether they pursue college, skilled trades, or high-demand careers, our students need facilities that support modern instruction, career and technical education, and access to technology.
Passing this proposal means we are saying “yes” to equal opportunity. Right now, our students do not have the same access to quality facilities and programs as their peers in neighboring districts. This bond would change that — ensuring every child, in every neighborhood, has a safe, supportive, and modern place to learn.
The Challenge of Aging Facilities
Many of our school buildings were built decades ago and were designed for a different time. Today, they are simply not equipped to meet the needs of modern education—or the safety expectations of our community.
Aging roofs, heating and cooling systems, windows, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure require major repairs or replacement. Just like a home, these critical systems wear out with time.
Delaying repairs will only increase costs. The longer we wait, the more expensive the problems become. Taking action now is fiscally responsible and avoids passing greater costs on to future generations.
More than half of our schools are operating at or above capacity. These crowded conditions make learning more difficult and limit the flexibility of teachers and staff.
We continue to spend valuable dollars maintaining buildings that are too small, too crowded, and too outdated to renovate efficiently. It simply doesn’t make financial—or educational—sense.
Compared to neighboring districts, South Sioux City is falling behind in maintaining and modernizing school facilities. Our children deserve better.
This bond proposal is our opportunity to move forward—to replace outdated systems, create safer environments, and ensure our schools are built to serve today’s students and tomorrow’s needs.
Strengthening Our Community
When we invest in our schools, we invest in the future of South Sioux City. Good schools attract young families, grow the local economy, and protect the value of our homes — the most important investment for many of our residents.
This is a moment for us to lead by example. If we expect our children to value community, to make smart financial decisions, and to care about the next generation, we must show them what that looks like.
By supporting this bond, we are not only helping our students today — we are building a stronger, more united community for tomorrow.
Bottom Line
Our kids deserve good schools.
This bond issue gives us a chance to solve long-standing problems, prepare students for the future, and secure the strength of our community. It is time to take action — not just because it's the right thing to do, but because our children, our families, and our community are worth it.
