The Litchfield Elementary School District's governing board approved a bond election Wednesday for November 7.

Previously, Litchfield Elementary School District’s governing board discussed pulling a $100 million bond to create a new school and upgrade current school facilities and security.

The bond would earmark $48 million for a new school in the western part of the district, $40 million for school renovations and facility improvements to existing schools and $7 million for safety upgrades.

The motion to move forward with a bond passed unanimously, with no board members dissenting. 

"I think I'm a yea based on the presentations that the net effect is it's not really going to increase taxes,” said board member Jeremy Hoenack.

Board member Kimberly Moran supported the motion based on the severe need.

“This is asking our local constituents to pay money to support our buildings and buses and on our operations, as well as a new school, which to board member Owens point,” she said. “We do need based on the capacity and overcapacity that were at, at some of our campuses.”

Upgrades will include a crisis notification system, school and office vestibules, ballistic window film and surveillance cameras.

The proposed security improvements will be in place starting in fiscal year 2024 or 2025.

The new school could open for the 2027 school year. Two schools, Verrado Heritage and Verrado Elementary, are at max capacity, with Belen Soto Elementary trending toward capacity at 90%.