Voters on Tuesday approved a $409 million bond issue for Omaha Public Schools. The money will be used to address over-crowding issues with a majority of tax dollars going toward building five new schools across Omaha.
The remaning money will go towards renovations and upgrades some existing school buildings. The overall bond will raise the tax levy by about 7 cents. That means a yearly tax increase of about $105 on a home assessed at $150,000.
In Sarpy County voters passed a $109.9 million bond issue for Papillion La Vista Community Schools. The money will improve safety and security while serving a growing student population. Superintendent Andy Rikli told 6 News one of the biggest improvements will be closing open classrooms. As it sits, some schools have open-concept classrooms that do not have a door.
The bond will also create a line of sight for the office, meaning everyone who walks into a school building will be seen immediately by staff.
The average taxpayer living in the district will have to pay an additional $40 per $100,000 of valuation every year.