Q&A about the Cedar Rapids school bond referendum

CEDAR RAPIDS — Voters within the Cedar Rapids Community School District are being asked to give the district authority to issue $220 million in bonds to upgrade district facilities.

If the bond is approved by district voters, the Cedar Rapids school district’s property tax levy would increase from $14.67 to $17.37 per $1,000 of taxable assessed value. For an owner of a home assessed at $200,000, the bill based on the taxable value of that home — about 54.7 percent of its assessed value — would increase by about $23.50 a month, or $282 a year.

The measure requires approval from 60 percent of voters to pass.

The Gazette hosted a forum on the bond referendum on Oct. 24. There were many more questions than could be asked in the allotted time. Following the forum, school district officials provided answers to additional questions received from the audience.

The Gazette provided the questions to the school district after the district asked to provide answers to the questions that didn’t get asked.

Below is a list of the answers as received from the Cedar Rapids Community School District:

How did the district prioritize the projects going into this first bond referendum ask?

While planning the timeline for the projects that the bond will impact, we realized that some projects would need to be completed before the district can proceed with the other projects in Phase 2 of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP). For example, building a new middle school would give the district extra classroom space to temporarily house students, while renovations or construction could be done at other locations. The current building conditions were also a critical factor in determining the order of the projects and which ones should go first.

How will the school district manage the number of simultaneous construction projects and why should taxpayers trust the district with the added funds?

Cedar Rapids Community School District employs a Director of Operations. This person has experience in both education and construction management and will be overseeing the bond projects, with support from the Operations Team.

We are legally obligated to only use the bond funds for the intended purposes listed in the ballot language.

The district is fortunate to have some solid old buildings — and yet some of the buildings like Taft and Harding didn’t have as long of duration. What is the expected life span of the new construction? Will these projects be designed to be Green or have renewable energy features?

We have made it a priority to focus on building designs that offer flexible learning spaces and provide common areas that will inherently allow for our new buildings to last as long or longer than the century buildings that we have in the district. The tightness of the building envelope and attention to energy use has dramatically improved our new buildings' life span. General maintenance will be part of the equation in ensuring the buildings perform how they are designed to.

These building projects will be designed with energy-efficient and sustainable practices such as Geo-Thermal heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, motion sensor lighting controls, and other environmentally friendly materials.

How does this plan address ADA accessibility in the buildings?

As part of the FMP process, all buildings were assessed by an architectural team to determine the needs of each building. Through the building assessments, ADA accessibility items were identified. The ADA items will be addressed during the design phase for those buildings that will be renovated. Additionally, as with any new construction, ADA accessibility will be part of the design, ensuring that all ADA requirements are accounted for and followed.

Do you see a path where Wilson could be a sixth-grade center like what you’re doing at McKinley, and then 7th and 8th grades go to another building?

This topic is not part of the current bond referendum. The district has not made any decisions regarding the other middle schools that are not included in this bond. Everything is up for discussion and consideration. We have several years to discuss and explore options before something will be decided.

Who from the community was involved in planning of the proposal? How were they selected? When was it published that a committee was being formed to develop a bond referendum plan? (Ex. Business owners, senior citizens, realtors)

The Facilities Master Plan committee is comprised of multiple stakeholders throughout the system. There is also a Master Facilities Planning Oversight committee, which is a Board- appointed group. All information from these meetings can be found on our website under “Future Ready Facilities,” which can be found under the “About” tab at the top of the page. https://crschools.us/about/future-ready-facilities/facilities-master-plan-task-force-updates/

With Taft and Harding needing potentially major costly repairs, how do you expect to pay for this? How would you justify going forward with the current bond issue vs. waiting and having a bond to cover repairs and some of the items on this ballot?

Repairs for Taft and Harding Middle School’s domes will come from the PPEL fund (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy). Unfortunately, immediate repairs are needed to address the structural issues so our students can safely resume using the spaces. Doing a new bond for the repairs would take at least another year.

Can someone explain the financial aspects of the bond issue if passed: 1. Bankers/Placement agency for the issue. 2. Dates of issuance. 3. Interest rate 4. Amount coming into the school district/disbursement? 5. Have you spoken to potential bidders? 6. Tenure of the bond. 7. Repayment schedule.

The district uses Piper Sandler for our Financial Advisor. The date of issuance will depend on the timing of the project needs, and the market will determine the interest rates at the time of the sale. The amount of the bonds issued at a given time will vary depending on the schedule of the projects. We have not spoken to any potential bidders. The bonds will be sold for a 20-year total term but will vary based on when the bonds are sold. We don’t have a firm repayment schedule until we know the size we are issuing, interest rates, and estimated project schedules.

I am concerned about the lack of transparency as to where the middle school will be located on the NE side. That’s a long distance for many students when we already have a shortage of bus drivers. Why aren’t we being more open?

The location of the new middle school has not been decided. No land has been purchased for it, as that is also included as part of the bond. We do know that the new middle school would be a part of the Kennedy High School feeder system, meaning it would likely be on the north or northwest side of town. Also, the new school must be built inside the district boundaries and would need to be at least 30 to 45 acres in size.

What percentage of an increase in the annual buildings and grounds budget is this for our district, and how does it compare to districts with similar demographics?

The funds from this bond referendum are independent of the district's general operating budget. Bonds cannot be used for staff/teacher salaries or district operating costs such as utilities, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance. By law, the district can only use the bond funds for the projects listed in the ballot language. So, the bond would not increase the district’s annual buildings and grounds budget.

However, if you are referring to the district’s tax levy rate, that will increase by $2.70 per $1000 of taxable value. (from $14.67 to $17.37 per $1,000 of taxable value), so about an 18% increase. When compared to other school districts in Linn County, we currently have one of the lowest tax levy rates. Even with the $2.70 increase, CRCSD remains comparable to or less than many neighboring districts.

Will the community be allowed to use the renovated buildings (ex. Community theater, arts programming, senior classes, group fitness activities) without expense to the different groups?

Currently, any community or athletic group can rent parts of our school facilities. The same would be true for any new or renovated buildings. However, the district does try to give priority to district/school-sanctioned events and groups. There is currently a $25 rental fee per event, and renters are required to purchase an insurance rider on the school district’s liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance at a cost of $50 per event. This insurance is for Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability and applies to the general public and spectators. More information on rental requests and fees can be found here: https://crschools.us/departments/quick-links/school-facilities-use/

Were there ongoing improvements being made on the buildings that are in dire need of renovations?

Yes. The district performs continual maintenance on all of our buildings. This is funded through the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy fund (PPEL). You can find more information here:

https://crschools.us/departments/operations/building-grounds/physical-plant-equipment-levy/

Will there be additional schools built in the next 5 years to house the students in the buildings you are planning to renovate?

Besides the new middle school that is already a part of the bond, no additional secondary schools will be built in the next five years. The district plans to use existing buildings to house students while renovations are made.

In the past 5 years, what improvements have been made to these buildings?

You can find a list of improvements made to various district buildings listed by year on the district’s PPEL webpage. (https://crschools.us/departments/operations/building-grounds/physical-plant-equipment-levy/)

The derecho in 2020 also caused damage to some of the district’s buildings, requiring some additional repairs/upgrades to be made.

For the $312M plan, the board promulgated a detailed spreadsheet showing the breakdown costs of the projects. Why hasn’t the board done the same for the $220 million plan?

Here’s a breakdown of the cost for the projects included in this bond:

Construction costs (Phase 1)

Land Acquisition (new site): $2,250,000

New MS Building (1,200 students) @ North Site (320,000 SF): $104,555,000

Franklin Renovation (800 students): $73,470,481

HS CTE Additions (3 locations): $6,000,000

HS New Turf Field (3 locations): $8,627,688

Kennedy cafeteria/kitchen renovation: $2,560,043

Metro Gym Updates: $841,428

Total Estimated Construction Costs: $196,054,640

Other costs — 20% allowance: $39,210,928

Total project cost: $237,515,568

Please speak to how this bond issue will benefit all students preparing for the future. I think student benefit is getting lost in the negative rhetoric.

A portion of the bond will be used to add and improve Career and Technical Education (CTE) classroom spaces at Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools. CTE programs offer students an opportunity to explore different career interests and develop employability skills to help better prepare them for college and career success. The classes provide diverse learning opportunities, including classroom work, hands-on experiences, job shadows, internships, and certification work. The district’s goal is by June 2027, all students will graduate with AP, college credit and/or industry certifications.

We currently offer CTE classes in multiple pathways, including automotive, engineering, education, construction, manufacturing, business, computer science, and culinary arts. However, space is very limited in these classes, and students have to be turned away. While we offer a full pathway, three sequential years of coursework, in some areas, there are other areas where we only offer one or two courses, which does not allow students to dive deeper in those areas. We partner with Kirkwood Community College for some of the advanced courses, but we also want to be able to offer full pathways that supplement what is offered off-site.

The district has already started work to refine existing and identify additional career pathways based on input from district staff, students, and parents; business partners; and postsecondary education representatives. Feedback still is being collected regarding career pathways and the requirements to be able to offer courses in high-demand and high-wage careers.

What will the plan be if the bond doesn’t pass?

If the bond fails, the Facilities Master Plan will not have the funding needed to move forward. Needs like air conditioning, renovations, added security, ADA accessibility improvements, and more would not happen. The district and school board will have to reevaluate how to address the district’s short-term critical infrastructure repairs and work to revise the facilities plan to put forward to voters in upcoming years.

How much of the $220 million is for artificial turf for three high school football fields? Have you researched the issue of artificial turf vs. natural grass? There is considerable controversy within professional football over this issue. Even the University of Iowa Hospitals report higher rate of injuries on artificial turf than natural grass. Why are we spending money on something that may be less safe than what we have now?

Providing artificial turf surfaces at our high schools will provide additional space for athletic teams, marching bands, and PE classes to use. We will not be replacing/removing all of our grass practice fields, so students will have the opportunity to play/practice on both types of surfaces. Turf practice fields would also provide an option when there are wet/muddy conditions on the grass fields. In addition, a turf field would offer an ADA option for our students with disabilities so that they could participate in more activities or practice for Special Olympic events.

Will any funds be reallocated from this bond to fix Taft & Harding domes? If not, where will these funds come from?

No. The district is required by law to only use the bond funds for the specific projects listed in the bond language on the ballot. That means we cannot use it to make repairs to Harding and Taft Middle Schools. The funds to repair Harding and Taft Middle Schools will be allocated from various categorical funding streams such as PPEL and SAVE.

What funds are going to be used to demolish Harrison Elementary if not the bond?

These funds are being allocated from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund.

Is there a copy of the 5-year upkeep plan on all the buildings that is available online?

The district has a 10-year PPEL plan that outlines the building improvement projects the district will use its PPEL funds to make. On the district website, you can find this 10-year plan along with a list of the building improvements the district has made each year going back to 2016. It also lists the projects slated through 2026. Here is the website — https://crschools.us/departments/operations/building-grounds/physical-plant-equipment-levy/

Is this a green initiative? Will there be government grants and other monies that are sought after to cover any of the costs?

Yes. The buildings are built with energy efficiencies within the plan. At the writing of this answer, we are not currently pursuing other financial sources, such as grants. We would be interested in ideas.

What happened to the money that was designated in the budget to prevent this from being such a calamity?

There is regular upkeep and maintenance of district buildings through the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. More information can be found here:

https://crschools.us/departments/operations/building-grounds/physical-plant-equipment-levy/

As buildings begin to age, the cost of maintenance and repairs becomes greater. Construction costs also continue to increase, outpacing inflation.

Would the district consider using some of the former school sites to house additional early childhood learning or preschool programming? This could be a collaboration in the community and I think there have been state funds being given to communities for this purpose.

We would consider it based on our enrollment at Truman Early Learning and various other sites.

How much of the property taxes you receive from the CRCSD taxpayers designated for management? How much is for instructional support?

Management fund is $14,999,994, and instructional support is $192,367 from property taxes. The district garners its instructional support dollars from Income Surtax. The district receives $8,660,014. The management fund from property taxes pays for insurance, unemployment and retirement incentives. Using the Income Surtax to support instruction maximizes our monies that are allocated to instructional support as well as it keeps property taxes lower.

How many students in CRCSD are actually in seats this year? How many students were in seats in 2019?

At the writing of this answer, the district has not received its certified enrollment numbers for SY 2023-2024. In 2019, enrollment was 15,885.

Where is the return on investment analysis (ROI) for the $445 million capital investment as compared to current O & costs?

ROI for the district is in the form of student achievement. Operation and maintenance costs vary by building. The district will see some reduced costs due to the age of our current facilities compared to new ones.

Have you identified the deficiencies in not making performance targets on the 2021-22 strategic plan? How did you inform the new strategic plan without conducting this analysis? Why hasn’t the new strategy been posted on the website?

We conducted a Comprehensive Needs Assessment. It is a thorough and intricate evaluation of the District's requirements. It involves a multifaceted approach that includes listening sessions, surveys, stakeholder interviews, and data analysis. This cross-sectional assessment aims to comprehensively understand the District's needs from various perspectives and sources. The listening sessions allow individuals to express their opinions and concerns, while surveys offer a statistically significant sample of the population's views. Stakeholder interviews allow for in-depth conversations with key individuals with a vested interest in the District. Finally, data analysis provides a quantitative assessment of the District's needs. This approach offers a holistic view of the District's needs, ensuring that all pertinent information is considered in the decision-making process.

An analysis for needs assessment was completed by an outside entity to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the District's most pressing needs. This evaluation aimed to ensure an objective and unbiased analysis, which can help identify the district's most pressing needs. The analysis involved collecting pertinent information, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and data analysis. The data collected is carefully analyzed by experts who provide recommendations and solutions to address the identified needs. This process helps the district make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to improve its operations and services.

Each year, the district also receives an Iowa School Performance Profile, which reflects how well public schools perform on a set of core accountability measures, such as results on the statewide assessment. The tool displays a school’s score based on overall performance, as well as scores based on the performance of subgroups of students. The district uses these yearly results to identify areas we need to work on.

Do you have a root cause analysis on the negative trends in enrollment, graduation rates, and student proficiency in ISASP?

We do not have root causes for enrollment, but we are studying that as part of our strategic plan. As for graduation and proficiency rates, we study and analyze the data yearly to determine causes and actions to help improve the percentages.

Where is the report card on the 2021-22 strategic targets, specifically: >80% of students will score proficient or advanced on ISASP and a 96.4% graduation rate?

You can find the Iowa School Performance Profile:

https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ECP/Home/Index

We did not meet the targets of the district’s previous strategic plan that was adopted in 2018. The district’s new leadership team has adopted a new Strategic Plan, which the Board of Education approved on Sept. 25, 2023. District leaders are driven to ensure we continue to make progress toward the goals of this new strategic plan. There will be annual updates.

Where will the new middle school be located? How many sites have been identified?

The location of the new middle school has yet to be decided. No land has been purchased for it, as that is also included as part of the bond. We do know that the new middle school would be a part of the Kennedy High School feeder system, meaning it would likely be on the north or northwest side of town. Also, the new school must be built inside the Cedar Rapids Community School District attendance boundaries and would need at least 30-45 acres, which is the recommended amount for a middle school.

How many acres are needed for a middle school?

It is recommended to have at least 30-45 acres for a new middle school. The site that is eventually chosen will help determine the design and layout of the building and how it would fit within the selected property.

Will the new middle school be outside the CR city limits?

We have not determined a site for the new middle school. It will be within the Cedar Rapids Community School District attendance boundaries.

Is the aquatic center part of this bond referendum?

No.

How much has student population gone down over the past 10 years? Has student performance returned to pre-COVID levels? What will new school spending do for students?

At the writing of this answer, we have not received our certified enrollment numbers for SY 2023-2024. For the 2013-2014 school year, the district had a total of 15,837 students — 4,967 High School students, 3,566 middle school students, and 7,304 elementary students. For the 2022-23 school year, the district has a total of 14,652 students — 4,888 high school, 3,228 middle school, and 6,536 elementary school students. While the district has seen a decrease in enrollment each year since 2011, we did see a significant decrease following the derecho in 2020.

Are schools insured? Taft? If not, and if the bond passes, and you close, Wilson, Roosevelt and Harding, where will the money come from to fix Taft? Cost? Can’t use bond money to fix Taft. Not in the ballot language.

Yes, our schools are insured. Taft is as well. In phase one, no middle school will be closed. The money to fix Taft will come from the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL funds. The cost analysis still is being calculated to fix both Taft and Harding’s domes.

Were participants on the committee provided a way to determine how they think the buildings need to be improved?

The Elementary Facilities Plan and the Secondary Facilities Plan, which look to upgrade our school structures, have been ongoing for several years. Participants on the Facilities Master Plan committee were shown improvements in our current structures. Yes, our schools are insured. Taft is, as well. In phase one of the Secondary Facilities Plan, no middle school will be closed. The money to fix Taft will come from the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL funds. The cost analysis still is being calculated to fix both of Taft and Harding’s domes.

Were the teachers and students asked which parts of the building are most and least favorite to students and teachers? Was data used to determine what areas of the buildings need to be renovated?

The planning portion of renovation and design involves teachers and other stakeholders. A company collected the data used as they examined all our buildings.

What demographic work does the district do to predict where the kids will be? Where are we seeing the enrollment shifts happening? Why is the occupancy so much lower at the middle schools?

The District uses a demographer who studies enrollment, population, and housing trends. We are seeing a trend of development moving north. The occupancy rate at the middle schools is lower because the buildings were built at a time when we had higher enrollment.

What will the people who cannot afford the tax increase do if this bond referendum is passed?

There are several different options available. The first step we recommend is contacting the U.S. Government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. HUD provides a map of approved certified counseling agencies in each state. The HUD counselors will help assess your situation and determine if you qualify for property tax relief, such as the Homestead Exemption Act. The counselor can also help to see if you qualify to apply for other home-related savings, such as financial assistance on energy bills. Many of these services are free of charge.

What’s the enrollment at each of the district’s buildings? How has that changed over recent years?

At the writing of this answer, the district has not received its certified enrollment numbers for the 2023-2024 school year. For the 2013-2014 school year, the district had a total of 15,837 students — 4,967 High School students, 3,566 middle school students, and 7,304 elementary students. For the 2022-23 school year, the district has a total of 14,652 students — 4,888 high school, 3,228 middle school, and 6,536 elementary school students. While the district has seen a slight decrease in enrollment each year since 2011, we did see a significant decrease following the derecho in 2020.

Why would you expect taxpayers to trust you for wise use of $220 million when the use of SAVE funds for elementary schools shows otherwise? For example, there is more than adequate space for a new building on the Madison property with no need to relocate students during the building project. Instead, you choose to demolish an architecturally beautiful and historic building & then have to transfer Harrison students to Madison during the tearing down & building period. Portable classrooms are scheduled to be added to Madison to accommodate Harrison students plus the bussing needed to get them there. This is using taxpayer money wisely?

By law, the district can only use the bond funds for the projects listed in the ballot language. The Madison/Harrison Elementary Project is not a part of the bond.

What do your bond brokers tell you interest rates will be now? A 4 percent rate on a $220M bond would cost about $176M.

The district just sold bonds for Trailside with a true interest rate of 4.6591%. The calculation you presented is if we paid interest on the $220 million for 20 years at 4%, which we will not. The interest payment will decrease as the district makes principal payments.

Will the phase two bond referendum in 2029 mean that we would see an additional $2.70/$1,000 assessed value?

No. It will not be an increase of another $2.70/$1,000 taxable value. It would just be a continuation of the current level. This is similar to what Prairie and Dubuque school districts are doing with their large bonds on the Nov. 7 ballot.

What questions were asked when gathering information to determine if we need this bond? What were the answers to the questions?

The facilities master plan studied the information provided to them and were able to ask questions. You can learn more about the committee by going to:

https://crschools.us/about/future-ready-facilities/facilities-master-plan-task-force-updates/

I am concerned the district isn’t able to hire enough full-time paraprofessionals and are relying on substitute paraprofessionals to fill those positions at a low rate of pay and without benefits. How will an increase of taxes remedy this problem? (Often, the position remains vacant from day to day.)

In the state of Iowa, we have categorical funding streams to pay for specific line item budgets. The general fund allocates about 80% of its monies for salaries. This categorical funding stream is supported through the annual State Supplemental Aid allocation by the Iowa Legislature.

Paraeducators/Paraprofessionals make up about 20% of the district’s staff. Currently, at the writing of this, the district has 482 paras employed and an additional 55 job openings yet to fill. Each year, the number of paras the district needs continues to rise. During the 2021-2022 school year, the district needed 456 paraeducators. However, this school year (2023-2023), the district requires 537. This rise is due to student needs.

By law, bonds cannot be used for staff/teacher salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance. Bond funds can only be used to pay for new buildings, additions, renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, and equipment for new or existing buildings.