School PPEL vote set for Tuesday
Note: On Tuesday, Dec. 6, voters in the Clayton Ridge Community School District will go to the polls to vote on a measure regarding a physical plant and equipment levy. The proposal is for a 10-year levy not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation on taxable property in the district. This represents an increase of 67-cents from the current levy.
There will be three voting sites: Guttenberg Municipal Building, the Garnavillo Community Center and the parish hall in North Buena Vista. Polling hours are 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Clayton Ridge Superintendent Shane Wahls has submitted the following information about Tuesday's vote.
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By Supt. Shane Wahls
With the special election fast approaching, I wanted to review and clarify some of the key information regarding the district’s desire to improve and maintain our facilities. I would also like to thank the Clayton Ridge Facility Committee for its dedication and commitment to the initial study that was completed during the spring of 2014. While this may seem like the distant past, the information this group collected remains valuable today and aligns with the recent work of our current school board. Together with the community, the school board seeks to improve our facilities and make prudent decisions regarding a consistent vision for the future needs of our students. Below are some facts, myths, and a list of priorities regarding the upcoming PPEL vote.
Facts:
Clayton Ridge is debt-free as of Nov. 15, 2016! All capital projects have been paid.
The school board is seeking to raise the Voter Approved PPEL during a special election to be held on Dec. 6, 2016.
This levy will be utilized for facility improvements at both the Garnavillo Campus and the Guttenberg Campus.
Clayton Ridge has the lowest tax rate in the county and is the 44th lowest in the state at $10.93 per $1,000 taxable valuation.
The tax rate would increase by $.67 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.
Ag land in Clayton County has an average taxable value of $1,906/acre and is actually at $879/acre after the 46% rollback.
Both Central and Clayton Ridge seek to maintain their own identity but will continue to partnership and share resources. There is not a plan to merge the two districts in the near future.
The most recent facility improvements have all occurred in Garnavillo and include the demolition and sale of the elementary building, new roofs on all other buildings, new HVAC at the main campus and new lighting in the gymnasium.
Myths:
This levy will increase teacher and administrator salaries. This is a MYTH. All funds generated through an increase in the levy must be utilized to improve the facilities of the district.
If this passes, all of these funds will be spent in Guttenberg so that we can close the Garnavillo Campus. This is a MYTH. Funds will be utilized throughout all district facilities. Please see the prioritized projects defined below.
The board has access to other funding sources without raising taxes. This is a MYTH. The district would not be able to proceed with the scope of these projects without an increased funding stream, either through raising the levy or passing a bond referendum. The district is afforded funds to use each year for these purposes, but the amount would not be sufficient to proceed with some of these projects of a greater magnitude, such as the demolition of the 1903 Building.
Our taxes are already higher than other school districts. This is a MYTH. The Clayton Ridge Community School District has the lowest tax rate in Clayton County and is the 44th lowest out of 336 school districts in the state.
Ag land can be sold for $8,000/acre, which means that my taxes will increase dramatically. This is a MYTH. While agricultural land can be sold for more than it is valued, it is the assessed value that determines the amount of taxation that is applicable.
We are merging with Central soon so the district should wait to build new facilities. This is a MYTH. The Clayton Ridge Community School District and the Central Community School District maintain an ongoing dialogue and have spent time planning calendars and schedules that have created sharing opportunities for students and professional development opportunities for staff. Both districts continue to collaborate with the sharing of resources but wish to remain viable districts with our own identity.
Priority Projects:
1903 Building: Demolition and relocate current spaces: two classrooms, technology server room, visitor locker rooms, weight room
Elementary Building: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning System (HVAC), Replace Plumbing, Food Service Renovation
Middle School Building: Electrical Distribution & Switchgear, Water Heater Renovation, MP Room/Auditorium Renovations
High School Building: Tuck Pointing, LED Lighting, Locker Room/Gym Renovation
As superintendent of the district, it is my sincere desire to convey the needs of a future generation. The district wants to be as transparent as possible, remain economically minded, keep costs to a minimum, and move forward to provide an adequate learning environment in which our children and grandchildren will be successful. Our goal is to create the best possible learning environment and to ensure that every penny is spent in the most fiscally responsible manner. The school board/administrative team has prioritized projects based on “educational needs” not our wants. Costs to complete all of the items prioritized above would total $5,086,000, which is greater than the amount that would be generated by the increased PPEL during the next 10 years. This means that the board will need to continually prioritize these items just as you and I would do with maintenance projects in our own homes. Ultimately, the voters will determine if the board will receive authority to move forward with a course of action to renovate and maintain our facilities. This information is not intended to advocate that you vote for or against the PPEL, but instead to inform you of the facts about the election and PPEL.
