Dubuque, Iowa — With reserves projected to plummet from around $20 million to a razor-thin $2.5 million by 2028-29, the Dubuque Community School District is staring down a fiscal cliff fueled by shrinking enrollment and state aid that hasn’t kept up with rising costs. On March 16, 2026, Superintendent Amy Hawkins laid out a bold, pragmatic three-step plan during a board work session at The Forum—aiming to trim inefficiencies, upgrade facilities, and rally community support without slashing teachers or core student programs.

At the heart of the proposal: shutter Jefferson Middle School, the district’s oldest and smallest building, after the 2027-28 school year. Current students would finish their middle school journey uninterrupted, then shift primarily to an expanded Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School. Washington Middle School stays open as is. The $20–$25 million Roosevelt addition—funded entirely through the district’s share of Iowa’s 1-cent sales tax (SAVE revenues)—would boost capacity to handle roughly two-thirds of middle schoolers, consolidating operations at two sites and cutting duplicated overhead.

This pivot follows the November 2025 defeat of a $70 million general obligation bond that sought a more sweeping rebuild (closing both Jefferson and Washington for a new facility). Voters rejected that supermajority-required measure, prompting officials to lean on voter-friendlier tools like SAVE dollars for incremental change and a simple-majority levy renewal.

To accelerate critical infrastructure—air conditioning in sweltering classrooms, secure entrances, safety upgrades, and long-overdue repairs—the district wants voters to approve a September 2026 special election renewing and doubling the voter-approved portion of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). The current rate of $0.67 per $1,000 assessed valuation generates about $3 million annually; the proposal jumps it to $1.34 per $1,000 (max allowed for the voted portion), potentially doubling revenue to ~$6 million yearly. These restricted capital funds can’t touch salaries or operations—only bricks, mortar, and equipment.

Rounding out the strategy: launch an external community task force and focus groups right away. This group will tackle big-picture questions for 2028-29 and beyond—possible grade reconfigurations (like K-8 models), further consolidations, or other structural shifts as enrollment trends evolve.

The stakes are high. Proponents argue consolidation preserves quality education by modernizing spaces for more kids while staving off worse cuts. Taxpayers face a direct hit: higher property taxes for the PPEL boost, though online calculators on dbqschools.org help estimate personal impact. If the election fails, upgrades slow and pressure mounts for deeper operational trims. Community pushback could reshape or derail elements, especially given the recent bond rejection.

No votes happened at the informational March 16 session—formal approval for the closure timeline and election call awaits future regular meetings. District leaders stress broad input: “This is about building a stronger, more sustainable system together,” Hawkins implied in coverage.

For full details, check the district’s Future Planning Update | March 2026 page and board resources at dbqschools.org. As Iowa districts grapple with similar enrollment and funding headwinds, Dubuque’s path could set a template—or spark debate—on balancing fiscal reality with educational promise. The conversation is just beginning.

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