Approve the PPEL measure Tuesday

On Tuesday, the Cedar Rapids School District will take another crack at convincing local voters to approve an increased Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL.

A year ago, we supported a similar PPEL plan. Unfortunately, a majority of the 4.7 percent of district voters who showed up voted it down. Opponents cited numerous reasons, from a dislike for higher taxes to disdain for previous district decisions. Some reasons were legitimate. Some much less so.

But we're supporting the PPEL proposal now for the same simple reason we supported it then: An urban district filled with aging school buildings needs the money an increased PPEL would provide. In reality. the district likely needs far more money to repair, patch and update its schools.

Under the measure, the current levy of 67 cents per-$1,000 of taxable property value would increase to $1.34 cents for 10 years. The new levy would provide $6.92 million annually. Unlike last fall, the proposal doesn't include an income surtax.

Under state law, PPEL dollars can be used in many ways. from building repairs and safety improvements to school technology and buses.

In Cedar Rapids, the long list of needed projects includes making several schools more accessible to disabled students. Roofs, playgrounds, restrooms, parking lots, clock systems, gym floors and heating/cooling systems are on the list in multiple buildings. These are not frills or fancy add-ons. These are the basics, the projects that make school buildings functional, comfortable and safe. A list of projects for each school is available at www.risecr.org.

So this is a vote that boils down to whether we want kids to attend schools where learning isn't impeded or interrupted by broken infrastructure, and whether we're willing to pay for it. We understand the impulse to cast a protest vote against something the district has done or did not do in the past. But, in reality, the only thing a no vote accomplishes is to deny 31 school buildings the resources needed to properly operate.

That would be a big mistake, and it would send a regrettable message about this community's priorities and values. Don't make that mistake twice.

But most of all, bother to vote. This is an important issue that should be decided by more than a handful of voters. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kennedy, Jefferson, Metro and Washington high schools.

' Comments: (319) 398-8292 or editorial@thegazette.com.