FAIRBANK -- Voters in the Wapsie Valley School District will head to the polls in December to decide if the district needs new two new elementary buildings.

Board members unanimously approved the referendum last month, which asks whether schools in Readlyn and Fairbank to be replaced with new buildings at a cost of $7.9 million. If approved, the measure would increase property taxes by $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

Supporters say the district's needs are outgrowing the capabilities of the two aging buildings.

"They're really old," said Annette Hyde, co-chairwoman of the Wapsie Valley Keep Improving District Schools, a group urging residents to vote yes. "They're deteriorating just like any old buildings are."

The elementary school in Fairbank was constructed in 1919. The Readlyn building went up in 1935. School officials said much of the schools' old infrastructure can't keep pace with today's needs.

"Both of the buildings we currently have, have a large number of issues," said Superintendent Dan Peterson.

The electrical system isn't able to handle some of the technology used today, the windows aren't energy efficient, and lighting is poor in certain areas.

Hyde said there's also problems with the available classroom space. If enrollment continues to creep up, like it has over the years, then there may not be enough room to offer two sections of each grade at the Fairbank Elementary, she said.

Peterson said school board members began looking at some of those issues a year and a half ago. Struxture Architects was hired to conduct an assessment. In May, the company returned recommendations to build two new schools instead of renovating the existing buildings.

A citizen's committee formed by the board also recommended a referendum for new schools.

Peterson said board members wanted to build two schools at the same time, because they were worried about quickly rising construction costs. If they wait too long, the cost for the schools may be higher than the district's maximum bonding authority of $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

He said the needs also were pressing for both schools.

"I don't know how you would choose which building to do now and which building would wait," Peterson said.

Still, some district residents said they are skeptical that two new schools are the solution to the problem. Critics argue that new construction isn't really needed and that the proposal could end up costing residents more in taxes than it'll save.

Still, others wonder why the board decided to build two separate schools, instead of consolidating the elementary school into a central campus next to the Wapsie Valley High School, located between the two towns.

Hyde said committee members decided on two schools, because they didn't want to have to purchase land next to the high school. She said some people were worried about the economic impact on Readlyn and Fairbank if the elementary schools were closed.

"There can be significant impact on towns as far as recruiting businesses and families if you don't have an elementary school in your town," she said.

The election is scheduled for Dec. 11. The Wapsie Valley KIDS group has scheduled two open houses on the issue. One is in Readlyn on Nov. 13. The second is in Fairbank on Nov. 15.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.