Sioux Center, Iowa — Voters in the Sioux Center School District will go to the polls next Tuesday, December 6th to decide the fate of a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or “PPEL.”
According to school officials, the levy would just be a renewal of a standing PPEL, and they say taxes would remain about the same. In fact, they also claim that the PPEL has prevented a tax increase for the Sioux Center Community by providing part of the funding for the recent projects at Kinsey Elementary, the Middle School, and the High School.
Superintendent Patrick O’Donnell says that the money will go toward maintenance of existing school property and joint-owned property as well as needed upgrades.
He says the school population is growing at a faster pace than they had anticipated. He says growth rates were in the single digits fifteen years ago and over the last four years they’ve grown nineteen percent. He says they plan on using the funds to meet their technology needs, both for students and district-wide. Plus they will pay loan notes on the construction of some classrooms.
O’Donnell says that between PPEL and the one-cent sales tax, they hope to continue to build the facilities that the district needs to support the education of students. He says, however, that there are several options as to what that could be. He says they have had a facility study done, and they may add on to certain buildings, or even create a new building. He says they’re looking at what kind of projects would benefit both the school and the community.
He says there may be a bond issue in the future, but it would be at least three years out. He says they’re not sure what grade level would get any new building, but if they continue to grow at this pace, they’ll have to consider those options.
According to the Sioux County Auditor’s office, the PPEL measure will need a simple majority to pass. If it passes, the PPEL will be $1.03 per thousand valuation for all property in the district. The levy would generate about $515,000 for this school year, and it is a 10-year levy.
Voters will be able to vote at the Sioux Center Precinct Terrace View Event Centre on Tuesday, December 6th from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
