Kirkwood Community College is asking voters in 18 Iowa counties to approve an $88 million bond referendum on Nov. 3 that would fund renovations, technological upgrades and new instructional spaces for programs including health care, manufacturing, agriculture, business and information technology. Students weighed in on the proposal, sharing their perspectives on the potential improvements, costs, benefits and what the bond could mean for Kirkwood and its community.
Brittiani Albright, nursing, said she supports the educational value behind the bond. “I’m always down for anything that’s going to improve our education here within the community, especially when a lot of people who go here go back into the same community to work,” she said. “So it’s a full circle when we have the appropriate things that we need to be educated properly to then take those skills out into the community.”
Adaiya Harris, nursing, emphasized the importance of training with up-to-date medical equipment to prepare for real-world health care settings
“I think it’s really important that us as nurses get the most up-to-date education as possible,” she said. “The more realistic it can be, the better, because that’s what you’re going to be experiencing in real life. When we’re working on super used equipment, you’re just not really getting those skills that you need and it’s really important that you do.”
The proposed bond would fund five major initiatives: Including $46 million for renovations to Jones Hall, which houses advanced manufacturing and trades programs, $22 million for business and IT-related upgrades in Nielsen and Benton Halls and $12 million for improvements to health programs and simulation spaces in Linn Hall and the Katz Healthcare Simulation Center.
Although the proposed updates will likely happen after current students have already graduated, Albright recognized the importance of planning for the future.
“It’s not just about us but also the people coming after us. We have tons of high school students who take advantage of the opportunity to take some of these classes before they graduate,” said Albright. “If we can make that experience good for them, too, it’s beneficial because they can return to the community to help out without having to spend as much time in school after graduation.”
Bailey Reiseck, computer software development, said he is undecided how he’ll vote because he hasn’t done enough research. But he is in favor of campus improvements.
“Most of my classes are in Nielsen. I like the idea of renovating some buildings, updating some stuff,” he said. “Kirkwood is a really good college. Even if I wasn’t going here, I would be OK with a small increase on my taxes.”
If approved, the bond would be funded through property taxes, with the college estimating an annual cost of approximately $9.35 for every $100,000 of assessed residential property value. This measure requires at least 60% voter approval to pass.
Ayman Mateen, information technology, said the main factor in deciding how to vote would be if the bond is good for students and the betterment of the college as a whole. Due to the proposed improvements, she supports the bond.
Morrigan Steele, business and marketing management also supports the bond. “Yes, it just sounds like a great cause,” she said.
Assistant Bookstore Manager Shelley Black said she plans to vote yes on the ballot.
“I will because I work here, and I think it’s very important for us to get the upgrades we need,” she said.
The bond proposal also includes $3.5 million for a new agricultural machinery shop and related site improvements along with $4.5 million to update high-demand classrooms with modern technology, accessibility features and furniture.
According to the college, the proposed improvements would update the aging instructional spaces and equipment to better reflect current workplace technology and practices, particularly in fields such as health care and manufacturing.
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