2026 Bond Information
Palmer Public Schools
Will we get the $5 million donation if the bond doesn't pass?
No. This generous gift comes with one condition — the community must show its support by passing the bond. The Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Foundation wants to partner with our community, not fund the project alone. If the bond does not pass, the donation will not be given. That's why the gift has already been factored into the bond amount. Together, your vote and this donation make the full project possible. The opportunity only exists if we support it.
What is the bond amount?
The ballot asks voters to consider a bond not to exceed $6,950,000. If the bond is approved prior to August 1, 2026, the district will also receive a $5,000,000 grant from the Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation to help fund the total project cost. This partnership between the community and the Foundation significantly reduces the amount that would need to be funded through the bond. In fact, the proposed bond amount is substantially lower than the $12.95 million bond proposal considered in November 2024. Since that time, the school board has reduced the overall scope and coast of the project by $2,000,000, and the addition of the Dinsdale Foundation grant further lowers the local bond amount needed to complete the project.
Why are we holding a special election?
A special election is being held because the $5,000,000 pledge awarded by the Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation is contingent upon local community support for the project. The Foundation requires the district to secure funding for the remaining project costs through a voter-approved bond by August 1, 2026. Holding a special election allows community members to demonstrate their support and allows the district to access the full pledge funding for the project.
Why haven't we applied for grants and other funding options?
Foundations want to see communities that have already invested in themselves. A bond election gives us the ability to demonstrate that local financial commitment — and that's what unlocks grant opportunities. Once the bond passes, we intend to actively pursue additional grants beyond the Dinsdale Foundation award.
What facility needs has the district identified, and how would the proposed bond address those priorities?
The district’s current needs center on improving student safety and security and creating enough space for students to learn and participate in school programs. These needs were confirmed through an independent facility audit, along with community feedback through a survey earlier this year and enrollment trends. The proposed bond project would help meet those needs by: • Creating a secure main entrance that is monitored and is located next to the parking lot to better control building access • Adding a FEMA-rated storm shelter that all students and staff can safely use • Adding four new classrooms to help with growing class sizes • Renovating existing areas to create dedicated spaces for programs that currently share rooms or use temporary spaces • Building a second gymnasium to provide more space for physical education classes, recess during bad weather, performing arts activities, sporting events for nearly 300 students, Also used for community activities, including blood drives, Fall Festival activities, Endowment fundraisers, Veterans Day programs, and youth sports/tournaments. • Providing a full fire suppression system to both the new construction and the existing building. These improvements are designed to help the school better serve students now and in the future.
Why do we need additional classrooms for therapy services?
Schools today are required to provide a wide range of special education, therapy, and intervention services for students who qualify under state and federal law. These services can include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, behavioral support, small-group instruction, and other individualized interventions identified through a student’s IEP or support plan. Nebraska schools are legally required to provide these services so students can fully access their education and receive appropriate support. Currently, many of these services are being provided in shared or makeshift spaces such as the backs of classrooms, hallways, libraries, or other areas not designed for confidential or distraction-free instruction. That creates challenges for student privacy, concentration, and effective learning. Additional classrooms and dedicated support spaces would allow therapy and intervention services to be delivered in quieter, more appropriate environments that better support students’ needs, improve confidentiality, and reduce disruptions to both students receiving services and the classrooms around them.
What has the school done already to prepare for this project?
The district made several changes to reduce costs while still focusing on the school’s most important needs. Changes include: • Pool demolition was removed because the district already completed that work outside of the bond project • The sidewalk connection to Tiny Tigers was removed because the district already completed that project separately • Parking lot paving was removed from the current bond plan to reduce costs • The gymnasium design was updated to use a more cost-effective pre-engineered metal building structure while still meeting student and program needs now and in the future. These changes helped lower project costs while keeping the focus on safety, classroom space, and required student programs.
When was the last time the school district implemented a bond?
The district’s most recent bond project was approved in 1995. Before that, the district implemented a bond project during the 1961–1962 school year. These bond initiatives helped support facility improvements and investments that have served students and the community for decades. All of these bonds have been paid off.
How can I learn more about the proposed plans?
The district is hosting a "come and go" open house at the Legion on Tuesday, June 23. Stop in anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. to learn more, explore information, and connect with school representatives in a relaxed, informal setting. We welcome your questions as we continue the conversation about our schools and community. Visit with the architect, construction manager and bond agent. Plus, it's Taco Tuesday at the Legion!
How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote online (use the link on the Vote Info page) or in person at your county election official's office. The last day to register online is Friday, June 26. The last day to register in person is Monday, July 6. County Election Offices Howard County: 612 Indian St., St. Paul Merrick County: 1510 18th St., Central City Nance County: 209 Esther St., Fullerton