Bond 2026 - SPCS

Update

The Springfield Platteview Community Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, to move the proposed bond to a mail-in ballot election. Mail-in ballots were due February 10, 2026. Voters approved the $79.9 million school bond in that election with no tax levy rate increase.

The 2026 voter-approved bond project was designed to enhance safety and security, address facility needs, and support future growth in the community.

The district gathered information, assessed priorities, and worked with construction experts, staff, and community members to guide the planning process. With voter approval secured, the district will now move into implementation phases.

Source and more information: https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NE/Sarpy/125926/web.345435/#/summary

Bond Projects Overview

Safety and Security

A major safety component is the construction of a secure indoor corridor connecting Platteview Central and Platteview High School (“the link”). This will provide safe, weather-protected access between the two buildings and add square footage for classrooms and student programming.

Expanded Student Programs

The added space supports enhanced academic opportunities and expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming at both Platteview High School and Platteview Central.

Building Improvements

The bond includes infrastructure upgrades, technology improvements, enhanced security systems, and modernized building entrances to create safer campuses and high-quality learning environments.

Future Growth

The plan includes building a new Springfield Platteview Elementary School on district-owned land near the Oak Leaf neighborhood at 72nd and Capehart. This new facility will help accommodate increasing enrollment and future student growth.

Partner & Fiscal Overview

Boyd Jones was selected as the construction management company for the bond planning process. They supported the district in refining budgets, assessing facility priorities, and ensuring the plan reflected community needs while remaining fiscally responsible.

The district planned for and maintained a 0% tax levy rate increase as part of the 2026 bond.

Project Budget

Project Budget
PHS / PC Addition & Renovation

Construction Budget: $41,500,000
Other Project Costs: $5,000,000
Total: $46,500,000

New Oak Leaf Elementary School

Construction Budget: $30,000,000
Other Project Costs: $3,400,000
Total: $33,400,000

Total Bond Project Budget: $79,900,000
Tax Levy Rate Increase: 0%

Next Steps

“We are grateful for the trust our community has placed in us. We are committed to honoring that trust by delivering safe, high-quality facilities that serve our students for generations.” – Dr. Ryan Saunders, Superintendent

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With voter approval secured, the district is now moving into the implementation phase of the bond projects. The focus shifts from planning to action while maintaining transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community communication.

Spring 2026 – Design & Final Planning

Finalize architectural designs for the Platteview High School / Platteview Central addition and renovations
Continue site development planning for the new Oak Leaf Elementary School
Refine construction timelines and phasing plans
Conduct detailed budget validation and cost controls

Summer 2026 – Construction Begins

Construction is anticipated to begin on the Jr/Sr High addition and renovation project
Safety planning and campus logistics will be implemented to minimize disruption during the school year

Ongoing Communication

The district will provide regular progress updates through the website, newsletters, and community communications
Major milestones such as groundbreaking, structural completion, and opening timelines will be shared publicly

Projected Completion

Jr/Sr High Addition & Renovation: Fall 2028
Oak Leaf Elementary School: Fall 2029 (estimated)

The district remains committed to delivering these projects responsibly and efficiently while maintaining the 0% tax levy rate increase approved by voters.

Community members who would like additional information about the voter-approved bond projects or would like to receive ongoing updates may contact:

Email: spcscomm@spcsne.org or nichole.baugh@spcsne.org
Phone: 402-592-1300 (ask for Nichole Baugh)

District staff will ensure inquiries are directed to the appropriate team member and that timely, accurate information is provided as projects move forward.

Follow Up Questions

Why did SPCS do a mail-in ballot?

SPCS chose to hold the election by mail primarily due to timing. A mail-in ballot early in the semester allowed the district to move the process forward sooner so that, if approved, construction planning could begin right away and major work could start during the summer months. Beginning the process earlier also helps the district lock in construction costs sooner, which is important as prices continue to change.

Another factor was minimizing disruption to classroom time. By utilizing the summer months for some of the most invasive construction, we can limit the impact it has on students, teachers, and learning.

Finally, the district felt a mail-in ballot was an effective way to reach every resident in the district. Ballots and informational mailers were sent directly to households so that every voter had the opportunity to review the information and participate. Mail-in ballots allow voters to cast their votes at home without needing to go to a polling location on Election Day, lowering barriers for those with schedules, mobility, or transportation challenges. The district also hoped that anyone who had questions would reach out, and several did, so staff could provide additional information.

How was the bond approved with a 0% levy increase?

When the district states that the bond was approved with no increase to the school bond levy rate, it refers specifically to the portion of the property tax rate controlled by the school district.

The district planned ahead to address facility needs while keeping the bond levy rate flat. Several factors allow the district to fund the bond within the existing levy structure:

Some older school bonds will be paid off soon, allowing new bonds to be issued within the same levy.
Growth in the district’s total property value helps spread the tax impact across more homes and businesses. Much of this growth comes from new business development, including data centers. As new homes and businesses are added to the tax rolls, the same mill levy rate generates more dollars for the district. This real growth is a major reason the bond can be issued without a mill levy increase.
A portion of funds currently collected for the SPC Building Fund can be shifted to help pay bond costs.
Similar flexibility may be possible with other school funds if property values continue to grow.

The district will also carefully phase projects and time bond issuances, allowing additional growth and the payoff of existing debt before payments begin on some projects. This approach allows the district to address student growth and aging facilities in a responsible way while avoiding an increase to the school bond levy rate.

Note: Individual property tax bills can still change because they are primarily driven by assessed property values set by the county, not just the tax rate. If a home’s assessed value increases, a tax bill may increase even if the school levy rate remains the same.