After bond defeat, CRCSD facilities needs remain

From the beginning, the barriers faced by proponents of a $220 million bond issue in the Cedar Rapids Community School District were sizable. It turns out they were insurmountable.

Just 38% of district voters supported the bond issue, which would have reduced the number of middle schools to create a clearer feeder system to high schools while making various improvements to those high schools. The bond issue needed 60% support to pass.

A state law signed this year requiring bond referendums to be held during November city and school elections or general elections, rather than special elections, compressed the time backers needed to educate voters about the plan.

One of the largest pieces of the plan, $104 million to build a new sixth-through-eighth grade middle school was advanced without telling voters where the school would be located.

There was also sticker shock. Bonding for $220 million would have meant a sizable property tax increase, raising the levy rate from $14.67 to $17.37 per $1,000 in taxable valuation. For the owner of $200,000 home, the tax on its taxable value would have been $282 per year, or $23. 50 monthly.

Also, the controversy over the school board’s decision to demolish Harrison Elementary likely played a factor, even those the bond voted did not affect that decision.

What didn’t change after Tuesday’s vote-counting are the school district’s ongoing facilities needs.

The need for new career and technical education facilities at Kennedy, Jefferson and Washington high schools are needed to meet the challenges of training a skilled workforce. Adding a new school and reshuffling the missions of other middle schools likely will be needed. The goal of creating a feeder system where K-12 students can rise through grades with the classmates is a worthy goal.

“There’s no victory for our community tonight, but rather an urgency to get together a plan that can garner greater support at the polls next time,” said Scott Drzycimski, who chaired the vote yes campaign.

District leaders have ample time to go back to the drawing board. A new bond issue vote can’t be held until November 2024 during a presidential election.

Whether or not the district goes back to polls with another plan remains to be seen. But, if so, district leaders and bond backers will have more time to sell the plan and give the public a chance to provide input and take greater ownership. Rebuilding public trust will be key.