Norris School District Bond
The Norris School District Board of Education has called a school bond election in the amount not to exceed $34,800,000 to support improvements to the high school, middle school, elementary school, and campus grounds.
BOND VOTE: May 12th, 2026
Understanding the Needs & Proposed Solutions
SECURING OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES
Meeting Today’s School Safety Standards
Our schools were built for a different time. Today’s safety standards require controlled access and direct visibility at the main entrance. Relocating administrative offices to primary entrances strengthens supervision, limits unauthorized access, and improves response time.
Proposed Solutions:
- Redesign primary entrances with layered controlled‑access checkpoints.
- Relocate administrative offices to the main entrances of the High School, Middle School, and Elementary Schools and upgrade security technology.
- Secure alternate exterior entrances to limit unauthorized access.
IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY AROUND SCHOOLS
Reducing Traffic Accident Risk
Buses, parent vehicles, student drivers, and pedestrians currently share overlapping routes, creating congestion and conflict points. Separating traffic patterns and improving entry and exit flow reduces risk during the busiest times of the school day.
Proposed Solutions:
- Separate bus routes from vehicle traffic and student walkways.
- Create dedicated student pick‑up and drop‑off areas away from major traffic lanes.
- Improve campus entry and exit points—particularly at the southeast drive and parking lot—to enhance traffic flow.
- Upgrade sidewalks and crosswalks.
- Add designated parking at the southeast and central campus lots to accommodate student, staff, and event parking.
PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY’S INVESTMENT
Replacing Aging Building Systems
Major systems in our High School and Elementary buildings have reached the end of their service life. Roof sections are aging, and HVAC equipment requires ongoing, costly repairs. Replacing these systems protects classrooms, improves air quality, and reduces long-term maintenance expenses.
Proposed Solutions:
- Replace aging roof sections at the High School.
- Complete a full roof replacement at the Elementary School.
- Replace HVAC systems and equipment at the High School and Elementary School and upgrade building controls.
UPDATING SCHOOLS TO MODERN STANDARDS
Creating Long-Term Accessibility
Some classrooms, restrooms, and locker rooms were built decades ago and no longer meet modern standards or ADA requirements. Updating these spaces and relocating administrative offices to exterior entrances ensures all students and staff have safe, compliant, and adaptable learning environments.
Proposed Solutions:
- Renovate High School classrooms for Special Education, Spanish, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Industrial Technology classrooms.
- Renovate the Middle School Student Services and open learning spaces.
- Add flexible and alternative learning environments to better support modern instructional needs.
- Renovate and expand restrooms and locker rooms to meet modern building and ADA codes.
Priority Projects by Facility
High School
- Relocate security entrance and relocate Administration Offices.
- Expand District Office to consolidate district staff and add board room / community meeting room with ADA and technology upgrades.
- Renovate the former administrative office into classrooms and ADA restrooms.
- Renovate and expand Special Education, Spanish, Family and Consumer Science, and Industrial Technology classrooms.
- Renovate restrooms with ADA and safety improvements.
- Renovate and expand south locker room with ADA and safety improvements.
- Add dedicated traffic and pedestrian pathways.
- Improve and add parking.
- Replace Mechanical HVAC equipment and controls.
- Replace older sections of the roof.
- Add storage rooms.
Middle School
- Relocate security entrance and relocate Administration Offices.
- Renovate the former administrative office into Student Services and open learning spaces.
- Modify student drop‑off and pick-up lane.
Elementary School
- Relocate security entrance and relocate Administration Offices.
- Renovate the former administrative office into classrooms.
- Renovate restrooms with ADA improvements.
- Modify student drop‑off and pick-up lane.
- Replace roof.
- Replace Mechanical HVAC equipment and controls.
- Add parking.
CAMPUS PRIORITY PROJECTS
The project improves safety and traffic flow across campus with enhanced pick-up and drop-off areas, a new high school drive, added crosswalks, and expanded parking. It also strengthens student and operational spaces with a new middle school playground, a new bus barn facility, and the renovation of the existing bus barn for maintenance and storage.
Meet With Us to Learn More
Community Open House with Tours
Thursday, April 9th at 6:00pm
Norris Public Schools – High School Cafeteria
Cortland Town Hall Meeting
Monday, April 13th at 6:00pm
Cortland Community Center
Firth Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, April 15th at 6:00pm
Firth Community Center
Panama Town Hall Meeting
Monday, April 20th at 6:00pm
Panama Community Center
Hickman Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:00pm
Hickman Community Center
Voting
This is an IN PERSON election.
Key Dates
April 13
Early voting begins
April 27
Last day for ONLINE voter registration
May 1
Last day for IN-PERSON voter registration /
last day to request early or mail-in ballot
May 11
Last day for early voting in-person at
Election Commissioner’s Office
May 12
Primary Election, Polls Open 8am-8pm
Polling Locations
Lancaster County Clerk:
555 S 10th Street, Room 108
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 441-7481
Gage County Clerk:
612 Grant St., PO Box 429
Beatrice, NE 68310
(402) 223-1300, Option 4
Otoe County Clerk:
1021 Central Avenue, Room 103
Nebraska City, NE 68410
(402) 873-9505
Click here to locate your polling location.
Click here for Primary Election Information.