School bonds are a way for schools to borrow money for large projects that exceed the means of the school's upgrade budget otherwise known as the capital outlay budget.

The district budgets/allocates funds designated for capital outlay items in each annual budget These capital outlay items include but are not limited to: the replacement of transportation vehicles, maintenance of all district facilities, replacement of mechanical items, and alterations to facilities to accommodate new educational needs.

Bond funds can only be used for constructing, equipping, maintaining, and furnishing district facilities. This makes bond funds different from the district's operating funds which are used to pay salaries, textbooks, and other day-to-day expenses. Bond funds can only be used for brick-and-mortar projects and cannot be legally used for anything else. This is an important distinction to remember. Bond funds and operational funds are separate and according to state law these funds cannot be used interchangeably.

The special election will be a mail-in ballot vote, with all votes due to the Mitchell County Clerk by April 18th at noon

Every registered voter within the USD 273 district boundaries is eligible to vote for the school bond.

The USD 273 School Bond will be a special election mail-in-ballot vote. Registered voters will receive mail-in ballots approximately 20 days prior to April 18th. Voters can return votes prior to April 18th at noon via mail, in-person at the Mitchell County Clerk's office, or by utilizing the two ballot return boxes located outside the Mitchell County Courthouse entrances.

Registering to vote can be done online or in person.

To download in-person paperwork or to register online click here

The benefits of the bond proposal go beyond the students and staff of USD 273. This bond proposal will impact the general public in numerous ways. Investing in our schools is an investment in our future workforce and our community. Whether a student goes on to college or into an apprenticeship, certification program, on-the-job training, or directly into the workforce, we must prepare them for success.

The Board of Education and district staff continually examine the needs of the district and determined the scope of the bond proposal.

The last bond issue was 48 years ago which funded the construction of the current Beloit High School in 1975.

USD 273 will continue to use operating funds, which takes money away from education, to repair our worst problems and postpone other important needs.