Clear Creek Amana schools’ $65 million bond on ballot Tuesday

OXFORD — Voters in the Clear Creek Amana Community School District can vote Tuesday on a bond issue of up to $65 million to fund construction of a new elementary school.

The new school — planned to be built in Coralville by 2024 — will be designed to accommodate enrollment growth coming from the eastern side of the school district and redistribute overcrowding from other elementary buildings.

Capacity at the new two-story elementary school would be larger than the other schools to accommodate 600 students, according to the district.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters can find their polling places on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

With Tiffin, North Liberty and Coralville recognized as three of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa, the school district estimates growing enrollment of 150 to 200 students per year, and the 10-year enrollment outlook estimates 300 to 350 students per grade level.

Tiffin Elementary and North Bend Elementary will be over capacity by the 2023-24 school year, according to a news release from the district. Projected elementary student enrollment also will be over capacity for all elementary buildings by the 2026-27 school year.

The bond referendum plan supports the district’s long-term goals to support neighborhood schools, reduce transportation costs, retain small class sizes, and provide comprehensive vocational and career technology education opportunities for all students.

If approved, the district’s total tax levy rate would not increase. It will be maintained at the current tax levy of 17.059 for Johnson County and 17.26 for Iowa County, according to the district’s news release.

If the bond doesn’t pass or is delayed, the Clear Creek Amana School Board “will be faced with tough decisions,” the news release said.

Starting in the 2023-24 school year, elementary students will need to be redistributed because of capacity limits at North Bend Elementary, Tiffin Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary and Clear Creek Elementary, the release said.

Entire grades may have to be redistributed to other elementary schools, with increased busing throughout the district. Student-to-teacher ratios in elementary classrooms also might increase, the release said.

Other possible solutions if the bond doesn’t pass may include eliminating preschool programs or purchasing additional portable classrooms.

In 2017, voters in the Clear Creek Amana Community School District passed a $36 million bond referendum by 71 percent. Bond referendums require a 60 percent supermajority “yes” vote to pass.

The 2017 bond referendum included the Oak Hill Elementary project along with districtwide security and safety projects, parking lot expansions, and the high school addition that is currently under construction.

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