Unforced error could factor into school bond vote

Bond, school bond, is on the ballot. And it has a license to tax.

We’ll find out the fate of the $220 million Cedar Rapids school bond issue on Tuesday. As a resident of Marion, I’m merely a spectator.

The money would be used to build a new 1,200-student middle school somewhere in the northern portion of the school district, although a specific site hasn’t been disclosed. Franklin Middle School would be renovated and turned into seventh- and eighth-grade facility. McKinley would become a school for sixth-grade students and Harding Middle School would close.

Meanwhile, bonds would pay for new career and technical education facilities at Washington, Kennedy and Jefferson high schools. Kennedy’s kitchen gets an upgrade, as does Metro High School’s gym. The high schools would also get new turf athletic fields.

Paying back the bonded debt will mean a significant tax increase, adding $2.70 per $1,000 in taxable valuation to the district’s levy.

From the cheap seats, the debate has been no “Thunderball.” It’s been more like a tennis match.

Supporters argue new “future ready” facilities are needed to benefit students and staff. Opponents question whether new facilities will improve student performance.

Supporters of the plan contend it will create a feeder system that moves kids and their classmates from elementary through high school. Opponents question whether larger schools are truly superior to smaller, neighborhood schools.

Opponents point to the tax increase, which will be a burden to people living on fixed incomes. Supporters argue that if the district doesn’t make these improvements now, it will be much more expensive later.

Back and forth it’s gone. Supporters knew they would have to break a serious sweat getting the support of 60% of voters needed to approve the bond issue.

“Change isn’t easy,” said Scott Drzycimski, who chairs the Vote Yes committee during a recent school bond forum sponsored by The Gazette. “Ultimately, we’re working for student success.”

And yet, the school board made an unforced error that could make it even tougher.

In April, the board voted to demolish Harrison Elementary School. The plan on the ballot Tuesday has no direct bearing on Harrison’s future. But the timing of the board’s decision makes it a factor in the minds of some voters.

The decision caught people off guard. Since the elementary facilities plan emerged in 2017, the historic brick school with its Tudor architectural influences, was seen as a special case that would receive “renovation consideration.” There seemed to be a consensus that whatever became of Harrison, it would not be torn down.

Late last year the school board created a citizen focus group to consider Harrison’s future. The group was given two options. Renovate and expand Harrison or build a new school on the site of Madison Elementary. After consulting with Legat architects from Iowa City, who said renovation is possible, the focus group voted 7-4 in favor of updating and expanding Harrison.

Just 12 days after the focus group recommendation hit the papers, the school board opted for a third option, namely razing Harrison. The focus group was blindsided and its recommendation was tossed. No worries, “historical elements” of Harrison would be saved.

Save CR Heritage, a group that advocates for historic preservation, collected thousands of signatures from folks who oppose demolishing Harrison. That includes 500 signatures on a petition compelling the school board to hold another meeting on the school’s fate.

That happened last month. But the board stuck with its original vote to call in the wrecking ball.

A rendering of the new school to be built at the Harrison site is making the rounds on social media. It’s a boxy, glass and metal edifice. If the historical elements are part of the new building, they can’t be seen in the rendering. In any event, Harrison’s days are numbered.

So the school board gets a D- in electoral strategery and an F in history. A double fault, perhaps.

I generally support historic preservation, but I’m hardly a plinth hugger. I understand the need to replace old facilities with new ones better suited to today’s needs. But that could have happened while also sparring Harrison from destruction. It would have required imagination and commitment.

What I am not supportive of are governmental entities who give people the false idea their input matters while the real decision is being crafted behind closed doors. The focus group worked for months to come to its recommendation, only to see it disregarded.

Why bother offering input when the fix is in?

“I don not trust the school board,” said Cedar Rapids City Council member Ashley Vanorny, who volunteered to be in the focus group.

Again, Harrison is not on the ballot Tuesday. But damaged trust and a lack of transparency could be factors. Unforced errors could decide the match.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com