CCSD leaders show district class size needs

On Tuesday, College Community school district residents will vote on whether to build a new elementary school. Although my kids are older and will not attend this school, I will be voting yes in favor of the bond issue.

The Cedar Rapids College Community school district is the fourth-fastest-growing school district in Iowa. Whether you look to Ely, Fairfax, Swisher, Shueyville or around the district's Cedar Rapids campus, new housing is prevalent with no slowdown in sight. The CCSD school board and administrators have managed this growth with existing resources to the best of their ability. But a physical limit has now been reached and more classroom space must be built.

With a strong and improving tax base and the retirement and refinancing of existing debt, a new school can be constructed without increasing tax rates. The current school levy rate of $16.56 per $1,000 of assessed value will not go up. In fact, residents of the CCSD have seen their levy rates decline over the same five years that we have seen the 20 percent growth in enrollment that I just mentioned.

This is evidence that our College Community school board and administrators are effective stewards of our financial resources and will use a bond referendum responsibly. Vote yes to maintain our schools.

James Hodina

Cedar Rapids