FAIRBANK -- Advocates backing a plan to build two elementaries in the Wapsie Valley School District presented their case to voters Wednesday night hoping to sway more than a few to their side.

The concept calls for two schools, one in Readlyn and one in Fairbank. To pay for construction, voters must approve an $8 million bond scheduled for Sept. 9.

More than 100 people showed up at the Fairbank American Legion Hall to hear arguments from school officials and others who support the idea. The overall theme was the existing schools are 70 years old and don't provide an adequate environment.

"It's hurting the opportunity for our children to learn and get that great education," said Chad VanDaele, a member of the Wapsie Valley Kids.

School officials say the elementaries don't have enough space in halls and classrooms. Superintendent Chad Garber added the existing buildings have numerous safety and fire code problems. Hallways should be wider, the electrical system should be overhauled and both buildings should have better means of escape in an emergency, Garber said.

The State Fire Marshal's Office gave the district officials 90 days to figure out a way to fix many of the problems. The agency also extended the deadline, pending the outcome of the bond referendum. If the measure doesn't pass, the district will have to pay to fix the problems.

"We're going to have to make considerable changes within the buildings just to meet the fire code," Garber said.

This is the second time the school plan has gone to voters. A similar ballot question received 46 percent approval from voters in December. The measure needs 60 percent to pass.

School officials are taking extra care this time to engage the public in the hope of avoiding another defeat. A special committee of 40 community members looked at 11 different plans, eventually deciding the two-school option was the best, said Geoffrey Grimes, an architect working with the district.

Among the options was a single elementary proposed near the existing high school between Readlyn and Fairbank. Grimes said that option would cost about $300,000 less than the two-school plan. But other factors, like the cost of busing children from both towns and the economic impact of losing the elementaries in those communities outweighed the savings.

If approved, the measure could potentially increase property taxes by $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation. School officials hope to offset that tax increase by using revenues from the statewide school infrastructure local option sales and service tax.

The state recently changed how the tax dollars are distributed, so rural school districts, like Wapsie Valley, will see more money.

Rex Randall, a bond specialist with Piper Jaffray, said a negligible tax increase -- $1 per $1,000 of taxable value -- would result in the first four years while the school uses some of the SILO money for a separate tax abatement issue. A homeowner would pay $40.55 a year for a house of at the median price of $92,000 in Fairbank.

After that, the SILO money would cover all of the bond payments.

School Board officials said the plan was the best way to get new schools without costing taxpayers a lot of money.

"What we've come up with is the most prudent plan we can do and at the same time not overtax you to pay for this," said Jerry VanDaele, a school board member.

Not everyone was sold on the idea. Some in the audience were uncomfortable with relying on future SILO payments to abate the property tax increase.

"Where I come from, if you tell me you're going to spend a dollar for the next four years, then put that on the ballot and that's what I'll vote on," said Gary Peyton of rural Fairbank.

Others walked out of the meeting pleased to at least get some answers.

Brian Ott of rural Fairbank said he hasn't decided how he will vote but said he had more information.

"The first time it was voted on, we didn't have meetings," he said. "At least people are being informed, and that's the bottom line."

Public meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Center Inn in Readlyn and at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in Oran. For information on the bond referendum, go online at www.wapsievalleykids.com.

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