A representative of Newcastle Public Schools updated the council on district size, accomplishments and facilities funded by a prior bond. The presenter said the district serves 2,596 students with 367 staff, highlighted athletic and arts achievements and noted that a community‑approved $77 million bond from four years earlier funded construction, buses and safety upgrades.

The presenter described near‑term projects including completion of high‑school exterior work and an upgraded cafeteria, new science labs (one with college‑level gas hookups), the band room and other facilities. The district also reported $1.2 million (approx.) in scholarships awarded to students and said the Newcastle Education Foundation re‑started and recently awarded $5,500 in teacher grants.

Council members and the presenter discussed a bond measure that failed in a recent election. The presenter said state statute constrains when a bond proposition may be filed and that the district must submit materials to the election board by specific deadlines for upcoming election dates. "So the board will have to decide do they want to try and do the primary election or the runoff," the presenter said, noting that June or August filings would permit spring construction starts if the measure passes; waiting until November would delay work until the following summer.

Members asked about property‑tax visibility for voters and how sinking funds appear on tax bills; the presenter explained the sinking fund portion of the property tax is the component the school controls and that the rest of the tax bill is set by other taxing entities. Questions also addressed plans for safe rooms, stadium seating and land purchases for future growth.

Next steps: school and city officials will continue coordination on filing deadlines, tax impacts and potential scheduling if the school board elects to re‑place the measure.