What comes to mind when you think of $50 million? Perhaps it’s mansions, sports cars, or a lifetime of college tuition. But what about $50 million on local school renovations?
As of March 3, 2026, a $50 million bond was passed to fund extensive improvements across Newton Unified School District 373. Principal Chad Nulik breaks down the scale of the project: “ It will be spread out amongst pretty much every school, a good majority of it will be here at the high school,” Nulik said. $30 million comes to the high school.
According to the district website, these funds will modernize science labs and culinary arts kitchens, overhaul the high school pool’s HVAC system, and replace aging partition walls. Nulik is particularly enthusiastic about the specialized upgrades.
“I’m kind of excited for what we can do and be able to really showcase that area,” Nulik said. “I think it’s gonna be great for the kids that like those programs.”
Upgrades to the pod bathrooms and old locker room spaces, and storm shelter additions will be added to Chisholm Middle School. A new classroom and conference space that will double as a storm shelter will be added to Cooper Early Education. All district-owned schools will also receive interior intruder locks for classroom doors.
Despite these plans, the sheer size of the bond has led some to ask if the investment is truly worth the price tag.
Superintendent Fred VanRanken and Newton High School Principal Chad Nulik both recognize the weight of the community’s contribution.
“I understand those that did not support it,” VanRanken said. “We want you guys to understand, like, as students, I mean, this isn’t something that I enjoy doing, you know? I would much rather work on things from the learning environment perspective. But this does matter because if you’re having a roof leak or if your HVAC doesn’t work consistently, you know, that’s a problem.”
School leaders understand the importance of using community dollars wisely.
“I mean, this community wants to make sure that what we’re spending the money on is stuff that we need and we’re not … spending money to spend money,” Nulik said. “We wanted to make sure that we listened to the public…all we can do is communicate what we’re doing and show that we’re being responsible.
However, not everyone is convinced the funds are targeting the most urgent needs. Math teacher Nathan Walker, who voted against the bond, believes the money could have addressed deeper academic and social issues.
“I also would have spent some of the money to ensure that all the kids in our district didn’t have to worry about whether or not they were going to be able to afford to eat school lunch or pay their fees,” Walker said. “I feel like that is easy to justify to the public.”
For Walker, the “math illiteracy” in the district is a more pressing concern than physical renovations. “When a student asks me, ‘What time is it, Mr. Walker?’ and I point toward the wall and they can’t read that clock—which is a basic dial—we have a problem,” he added.
Even among the students who will benefit, there is a sense of bittersweet timing. Sophomore Meadow Gill notes that the long road of construction means many current students won’t see the finished product.
“It’s a lot of money, and it’s going to take a long time,” Gill said. “People who would really want to see it are probably not going to be able to.”
Despite these conflicting perspectives, the bond is now in motion. Over the next few years, the community will watch these plans take shape, transforming the district for future generations.
“We just got to make sure that you guys feel like, you know, you own this, and you’ve got pride in your school district for wanting to provide a good environment for you,” VanRanken said.
