2024 Bond Update
U Are Worthy
Dear Union Patrons,
“Our Kids Are Worthy.” We’ve said it time and time again, but it is true. Our students are worthy of the investment we are making in their future that goes well beyond mere brick-and-mortar buildings and physical structures. The real return on that investment is manifested in high levels of student performance and engagement that are capturing national attention.
If it isn’t enough that one of Union’s best, Rebecka Peterson, is the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, we continue to improve our district’s graduation rate, peaking at 92.6 percent in 2019 – 5 percent higher than the national average. Last year, six seniors were named National Merit Finalists. Since the inception of the EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program, 80 students have graduated with their associate degree, and we recently added a seventh cohort of students. Our new Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 will continue to guide the way as we provide students with new pathways for college and career exploration.
It’s quite clear the investments our community has made in our mission of “100 Percent Graduation, College and Career Ready” are working – yet we still have work to do. It’s also paying off in record levels of engagement in extracurricular activities. Union’s Renegade Regiment recently catapulted seven spots over their previous performance, earning sixth place in a field of more than 65 competitors at the Bands of America Super-Regional Championship in Indianapolis.
Your approval in February 2023 of a $152 million multi-year bond has put us on track to make improvements that will carry us through 2027. Preparations are already underway for transformation of the Union 6th/7th Grade Center. This will be a mammoth undertaking, with the initial stages of the project slated to begin in summer 2024.
We’ve already made significant progress on a number of projects in 2023. This is an exciting time for students and teachers at Union Public Schools. I hope you enjoy this progress report covering the first year of this bond and the many positive changes just around the corner. Students, “U Are Worthy.”
Sincerely,
Kirt Hartzler, Ed.D., Superintendent
5-Year Series Bond (2023 – 2027)
$152-Million Bond Project at a Glance*
| Project | Cost |
| 6th/7th Grade Center Renovation and Expansion Project and FF&E | $51,600,000 |
| District Athletics and Fine Arts Facility Upgrades | $5,775,000 |
| District Exterior and Interior Renovations (includes utility systems and equipment, playgrounds, flooring, painting, windows, doors, millwork, lighting and FF&E) | $10,240,000 |
| District Roof Replacements | $10,600,000 |
|
District HVAC Systems Replacements |
$10,000,000 |
|
District Equipment and Other Improvements (includes security items, safety upgrades, fencing, paving, roofing, doors, windows, playgrounds, rooftop units, boilers, chillers, hot water tanks, appliances, signage, tools and other renovation or replacement projects) |
$15,187,500 |
|
Technology |
$15,712,500 |
| Textbooks, Digital Curriculum, Software, Subscriptions and Instructional Resources | $15,500,000 |
|
Site and Department Allocations |
$5,425,000 |
|
Transportation – Buses |
$3,960,000 |
|
Transportation – Vehicles |
$1,500,000 |
|
Fees, Professional Services, and Contingency |
$6,500,000 |
| 5-YEAR TOTAL OF BOTH PROPOSITIONS | $152,000,000 |
*Note: The numbers presented in the table above are estimates.