Albia Community School District
STRENGTHENING
OUR SCHOOLS
The Albia Community School District is a source of pride in our community. We are home to high-achieving students who will become the leaders of tomorrow.
In the most recent Iowa School Performance Profiles, ACSD students outperformed the state average in graduation rate and proficiency in math, science, and English language arts. Classroom performance by our students at the junior and senior high schools was classified as “commendable.”
These achievements reflect our community's commitment to education and supporting the students who will shape our future. This is also made possible by prioritizing continued investments in our facilities, ensuring students of all ages have access to safe, modern learning environments with the resources they need to thrive.
A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS
After extensive planning, the creation of a task force, and engagement with families, staff, and district residents, the School Board and administration adopted a Master Facilities Plan in 2024 to serve as a roadmap for implementing improvements at our campuses over the next decade.
The priorities found in the master plan include:
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Resolving our most critical maintenance needs
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Improving safety and security at the 7th-12th grade building
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Establishing an annual improvement cycle for maintenance, technology, furniture, and fixtures
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Eliminating reliance on external facilities
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Starting the implementation of a long-term plan for the aging Lincoln Elementary
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Consolidating the number of facilities ACSD maintains to better accommodate declining enrollment and use resources more efficiently
PAYING FOR IMPROVEMENTS
ACSD’s annual operating budget alone cannot address all the facility challenges identified in the master plan—especially if the goal is to improve our schools beyond basic maintenance.
To help fund a portion of the projects outlined in the master plan, the community adopted a voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) in 2025. Per state law, PPEL funds may be used only for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases, and improvements.
Our district also uses statewide sales tax revenue we receive from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund to help pay for capital projects and equipment upgrades. However, Iowa lawmakers approved changes to SAVE in spring 2026 that will redirect up to 25% of these funds from school infrastructure to a property tax relief fund by 2031.
To date, we have used available revenue streams to address general maintenance, upgrade technology, purchase school buses, replace the roof at Lincoln Center, and proceed with furniture and finish replacements at Lincoln Center and the 7th-12th grade building.
PPEL and SAVE will continue to allow us to meet basic ongoing needs that include:
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Upgrades to our transportation fleet
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1:1 technology for students
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Replacing classroom furniture
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Repairing the roof at Lincoln Center
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Addressing general maintenance and repairs
The gallery above shows some of the projects and equipment purchases made possible with PPEL revenue.
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM
Three key capital projects identified in the master plan include installing a new secure entrance and a multipurpose stadium at the 7th-12th grade building, as well as enhancements at the Monroe County Sports Complex.
The secure entrance is estimated to cost up to $252,000. The new multipurpose stadium would cost up to $621,000. The Monroe County Sports Complex project would require up to $228,000. In all, the maximum estimated cost of the projects is $1.1 million.
Our district will now have approximately $300,000 available for projects through 2030 due to reductions in SAVE funding—down from $826,000. As a result, we likely will not have the financial means for the three projects until after 2030 at the earliest, when more sales tax revenue is expected to become available from SAVE.
An alternative funding source ACSD officials could explore is a general obligation (GO) bond referendum, which would require voter approval of at least 60%.
Project plans and architectural renderings
WHAT’S NEXT?
Transparency and engagement with ACSD residents are priorities for the School Board and administration, and we are committed to continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for input and discussion as we move forward.
By listening to the perspectives, ideas, and feedback from our families, staff, and community members, we can ensure that decisions about enhancing our facilities for the future reflect the needs and priorities of those we serve.
