Voters living in the borders of the Pella Community School District will have the option to pass the next round of facility upgrades in one week during the school board election.
Rich Schulte with the Great Prairie Area Education Agency is the former principal of Lincoln Elementary, and is leading a committee of district families in garnering support for the ballot measure. He says the proposal in front of voters has utilized input from parents, community members, staff and students to develop the priorities for this ten year facility plan.
He says the main driver of this bond issue is to create and add new classrooms as the Pella School District continues to grow in total student enrollment, ensuring that buildings have adequate space to accommodate all learners. Schulte says a yes vote does not increase the current property tax rate, and instead extends the current debt levy.
The projects total approximately $51 million dollars, and includes a new early childhood facility next to Madison Elementary, a connector between Jefferson Intermediate and Pella Middle School for additional classroom space, new heating and cooling system at Pella High School, and upgrades to the football stadium bleachers and press box and new tennis courts at Caldwell Park. The proposed school bond measure on Tuesday, November 2nd, would pay for approximately $40 million in projects, with the remaining balance coming from dollars the district receives from state sales tax revenue.
Hear more about the Pella Community School District bond issue on today’s In Depth with Dr. Bob Leonard. A community meeting will be held at 4 p.m. today at the Pella Memorial Building with Superintendent Greg Ebeling answering additional questions.