Des Moines Public Schools Bond Proposal

Des Moines Public Schools is proposing to raise $265 million by issuing bonds to be repaid from property tax dollars over five years.

Why Is DMPS Proposing This Bond?

DMPS is launching a revised version of its “Reimagining Education” plan to address:

Aging infrastructure: Most school buildings are 70–80 years old.
Changing enrollment patterns: Falling student numbers require a more efficient use of space.
Modern learning needs: Current facilities don’t support today’s educational standards or career pathways.

The original plan was a $500 million, 10-year initiative. The revised version is $265 million over 5 years, making it more affordable and faster to implement.

What Will the Bond Pay For?

The bond proceeds will fund:

Partial upgrades to nearly all district facilities (not full renovations).
Construction of one new school: Moulton Elementary.
Creation of 130 flexible learning spaces.
Expansion of career and technical education programs.
Establishment of Signature Schools focused on STEAM, arts, and other specialized interests.
Introduction of full-day preschool and a regional school system to streamline student progression.

SAVE proceeds will be used to close three schools:Walnut Street School, Howe Elementary, and Harding Middle School.

What Will It Cost Taxpayers?

If approved, the bond will increase property taxes.

Here's a breakdown:

For a home valued at $200,000, the annual increase would be approximately $188.93.
This is $167.53 less than the original proposal, making it more taxpayer-friendly

What Happens Next?

A petition is being circulated by a committee of parents and community members. It needs signatures from 7,424 registered voters representing 25% of the votes cast in the last school board election. If successful, the bond will appear on the November 4, 2025 ballot.

Updated 10/29/25: The bond issue goes before the voters on November 4, 2025. In order to pass the referendum requires the approval of 60% plus 1 of the voters.