The need for improvements at Fort Dodge Senior High was the keynote of the agenda of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board Monday.

Superintendent Josh Porter steered a discussion of a proposed $42.04 million referendum that is scheduled to go to voters Nov. 4 of this year.

The measure provides for upgrades in the east and west classrooms and the main pool and indoor athletic locker rooms, updating building systems and the main canopy, the creation of a public address and safety system to keep all district staff and students updated in critical situations, and upgrades to career and technical education, fine arts and the weight room and field entrance near Dodger Stadium.

“It really is a win-win,” Porter said. “We are doing this with no levy increase. It is wrapping 20 years or so of projects into two to three years.”

“A new high school would put us north of $120 million, which includes raising taxes and bonding capacity which is not available,” he added. “This is our best way forward. It is a great plan that has touched lots of areas, and I honestly see a lot of interest to put this through.”

Brandon Hansel, executive director of financial services, handed out petition kits to all board members.

“We’re wanting to get 817 signatures collected by July 1,” he said. “From there, meetings will be necessary to put the resolution together and put it on file with the county commissioner for the vote. We are planning to do that during late summer and early fall.”

The board also approved the following at the March 25 meeting:

• Three resolutions dealing with a summer 2025 project to upgrade windows and doors at Feelhaver Elementary. Kolacia Construction’s low bid of $399,000 for the project was approved. According to district maintenance director Ryan Utley, the work will begin around June 3 or 4 and be completed in mid-July.

• A resolution tentatively approving plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate of total cost for Phase 1 — Transportation Renovation Project and authorizing and fixing a date, time, and location for a hearing for taking competitive bids for the renovation. According to Utley, it provides for a concrete surface parking lot and an alternate asphalt location, a new fence around the bus parking lot and electrical work in the location. The project comes to just under $823,000 with bids to be open in mid-April.

• Consideration of math resources for math interventions in grades 1-12. District Curriculum Director Teri Boezinger noted recent focus has been on literacy the last two years or so. “We need to take a deep look at math intervention,” she said. “A program entitled SOAR from the University of Pittsburgh is our best path. We can train teachers in this with digital materials available for everyone.” According to Boezinger, the cost is $33,000 with funding to come from Gear Up finances.

• The 2025-2026 district fee schedule with most costs staying the same as 2024-25, according to Porter.

• The RSP & Associates contract. “This allows us services to help the district think about long-term planning and give an idea of what the future of Fort Dodge looks like,” Porter said. “We will get feedback in five to six months and also be put in position for an upcoming bond rating.”

The monthly financial reports for Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. According to Hansel, revenue was $28.04 million, and expenses were $27.2 million.

The next meeting of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board is April 14.