The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education reviewed next steps with DLR Group on the district’s master facilities plan during Wednesday’s board meeting. DLR Principal Architect Eric Beron reviewed the timeline of the firm and the district working together, with a long-term plan being adopted in 2022. Beron says since then, the first project, the transportation facility has been crossed off the list. Beron reviewed with the board the district priorities that were identified during an administrative workshop on Dec. 1, 2025.
The seventh and eighth grade addition would be added to the high school, with the preschool pods being demolished to create a new PreK-K addition, renovating the middle school to a third through sixth grade building with the end goal to retire Adams Elementary. The projects would be carried out in phases, with a very preliminary estimate of $121.7 million after everything is completed. Beron says there are different ways the district can finance the plans, including a General Obligation (GO) bond, Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) bond, or a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) note.
A GO bond would need to be placed on the November ballot and would require 60 percent approval from voters. Beron recommended if this is the route the district wanted to take, campaigning would need to start by the Labor Day holiday. Another option for the district would be a SAVE bond.
The SAVE bond would have no impact on taxes as it is borrowing against money that the district is projected to receive through sales taxes and would only require a public hearing process to allow for residents to give feedback before a decision is made. The last option that was discussed during the meeting was for a voter-approved PPEL.
Total funding available for the district to borrow would be $79.5 million, which equals approximately 53 percent of all grand total after all projects are completed. No formal decisions have been made but administration will continue to meet with DLR Group, ensuring the district will focus on building needs to meet with student demands while being fiscally responsible.
