Voters say ‘yes’ to Cedar Rapids school property tax that keeps kids ‘warm, safe and dry’

CEDAR RAPIDS — A school property tax levy that Cedar Rapids school leaders say keeps kids “warm, safe and dry” was approved by voters Tuesday.

The levy — which required only a simple majority to pass — was approved by 72 percent of voters who cast ballots, according to unofficial results. About 4,250 people cast their votes, or about 5 percent of registered voters.

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“Tonight definitely warrants some emotion of gratitude to our community,” said Cedar Rapids schools Superintendent Tawana Grover. “One thing I’ve learned is this community will come together. The needs within our facilities to take care of our students and staff, they’re real. Our people recognize that and pulled together tonight to make a strong statement of commitment that we are here for our schools and will continue to take care of our schools.”

The property tax called the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy — or PPEL — is vital to the Cedar Rapids school district’s ability to fund school improvement projects, routine maintenance and unexpected maintenance costs, school officials say.

It must be renewed by district voters every 10 years. It can be used for the purchase and improvement of grounds; purchase, construction and remodeling of buildings; major equipment purchases, including technology; and rental of land and equipment.

The renewal of the levy does not increase the property tax levy rate for schools — the levy simply continues.

Grover said the “yes” votes signified trust in the school district from the community. School officials and a task force that includes community members are working toward the school district’s next facility plan that could lead to a school bond referendum ask to voters in November 2025.

“It doesn’t stop here as far as community engagement, involvement, outreach and collaboration,” Grover said. “This is very encouraging tonight and a signal we’re moving in the right direction.”

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In May, the school district received responses from more than 9,000 residents on a survey on its facility planning process commissioned by the district. About 70 percent of people who responded to that survey said they would “definitely” or “probably” vote “yes” to PPEL.

Chad Schumacher, Cedar Rapids schools director of operations, said it’s “poignant” that those survey results closely match the results of the election Tuesday night.

“We’ve really built a framework and a path that allows us to hear from people in our community,” Schumacher said. “I’m proud of our families and our constituents, proud of all the people in the background who worked so hard to get the message out and humbled by the support. Seventy-two percent is quite a statement and springboards us into the next stage.”

School board President Cindy Garlock said she is in “awe” of the election turnout. “In my heart of hearts, I’ve always known the community is in strong support of our schools,” Garlock said. “This reaffirms that commitment.”

Funding will pay for career academies, other project costs

In the next 10 years, PPEL is estimated to bring in almost $146 million in revenue to the Cedar Rapids district. Among the projects it will help fund, about $19 million would be spent on transportation costs, $86 million would be spent on yearly projects, and $30 million would be spent on new college and career pathways and academies at Kennedy, Jefferson and Washington high schools.

Other large annual expenses include unexpected repairs to buildings, improvements for safety and security, door and window repairs and replacements, roof replacements, concrete repair and replacement, upgrades to schools’ heating and cooling system and playground repairs.

The tax rate for homeowners in the Cedar Rapids school district — which includes the current PPEL — will be $13.90 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, a decrease of about 83 cents from the current rate. For a homeowner with a $200,000 home, the property tax bill for schools would be $1,288 per year, or $107.33 a month.

Most voters support continued PPEL funding

Melanie Ostomo, who has two children in the Cedar Rapids school district — one at Washington High School and another at McKinley STEAM Academy, cast her “yes” vote at her polling place at Erskine Elementary School Tuesday morning.

Ostomo said she voted “yes” because she’s watched funding cuts be made to Iowa public schools year after year by lawmakers. “The schools need all the money they can get,” she said.

Marita Wolgast also cast her “yes” vote at Erskine Elementary School, where all three of her children were students more than 20 years ago.

“We need to provide the best we can for the children in our city. They are the future,” Wolgast said, adding that she’s “hearing there’s a lot of needs right now” in Cedar Rapids school facilities.

Beth Vandygriff voted “no” at Erskine, saying she learned about the election the day before and it felt “sneaky.” Vandygriff said she does not read the newspaper or watch TV news and doesn’t have children in the school district. The election has been publicized on the district’s website for the last few weeks and information about it included in its newsletters, which are emailed to district staff, families and subscribers on Fridays.

Vandygriff said she believes the school should save up money to pay for facility projects rather than relying on property tax dollars.

At the Northwest Recreation Center, Mary Abbey voted “yes.” Abbey spent 36 years in public education, retiring in 2005. She said the levy is necessary to “keep things going on a day-to-day basis.”

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