College Community School District to hold informational meetings on bond issue

CEDAR RAPIDS - College Community School District will hold two informational meetings this week on a $49.5 million bond referendum set for April 7.

The bond issue, announced last month, would fund renovations. It represents the first of two phases in the district's 10-year facilities plan.

Renovations would include new classroom, music, activity and cafeteria space at Prairie High School.

Renovations also would include HVAC system improvements at Prairie High School and three elementary schools - Prairie Crest, Prairie Heights and Prairie View.

The bond issue initially would increase property taxes in the district by about $2 per $1,000 of taxable valuation, the district has said. The tax rate would then decrease by about $0.20 per year over the next 10 years, to return to approximately its current level by the end of the facilities plan.

The district plans to return to voters with a second, $20 million bond referendum, possibly in 2019, Superintendent John Speer said last month. That would fund further renovations and the construction of a school.

Speer has said the projects are necessary in part because of enrollment growth in the district. College Community enrollment is projected to grow from about 5,100 students this year to about 6,100 in 2024.

More than 60 percent of voters must approve the bond sale for the referendum to pass.

Speer and members of the district's school board will present details of the bond issue and answer questions Wednesday and Thursday at the informational meetings.

The meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Prairie High School study hall area.