Cedar Rapids school bond is a heavy lift

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is preparing to ask voters to approve the issuance of $312 million in bonds to fund renovations and additions to the district’s secondary schools. The vote is expected to be scheduled for March 7.

Included in the Master Facilities Plan is a new, $88 million middle school on the city’s north side and $60 million for renovations and an addition to Wilson Middle School. Franklin and Taft Middle schools would also see additions and renovations.

McKinley Middle School would become an innovative magnet school for the district while Roosevelt would continue as a middle school for the time being before eventually being repurposed for another use. Harding Middle School would also be repurposed for a community use.

The new and renovated middle schools would create a feeder system for the district’s three high schools, with hopes of better equalizing high school enrollments. The plan also includes money for a new aquatics center that would be shared by the high schools, which would close their aging pools.

Creating the feeder system is going to mean changes in district attendance boundaries. It’s uncertain how much voters will know about those potential changes before heading to the polls.

That’s a lot of moving parts, and a large price tag. Paying off the bonded debt would raise property taxes by $2.70 cents per $1,000 in taxable valuation, or by $280 yearly for a $200,000 home for 20 years.

So it’s going to take far more than a conventional campaign to pass it. Whatever committee emerges to sell the plan, it’s going to need to find a message that will resonate with skeptical voters beyond that these projects are good for students. That’s important, but an explanation of broader community benefits will be essential.

A campaign committee also has to do the heavy lifting of helping voters understand the plan and the reasons why these projects are needed. They’ll want details, not slogans.

Concerned voters also face a big job. They need to get involved now, seek information and ask questions. The district says there will be more opportunities for public input, and we urge voters to take advantage of those opportunities.

We’re not giving a thumbs-up or down to the plan at this point. We, too, will be looking for more details. It’s a big price tag and a big vote. The stakes are high, and will affect this community for decades to come.

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