Renew PPEL for Cedar Rapids schools

In case you missed it, there’s an election on Sept. 10 in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.

The district will be asking voters to renew its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL. The district is already collecting the $1.34 per $1,000 in taxable property valuation, so renewal of PPEL will not increase the property tax levy.

Renewal will provide between $10-$12 million annually over each of the 10-years for repair and upkeep of the district’s 32 school buildings, covering more than 2.7 million square feet. With the majority of district buildings opening before the 1970s, the list of maintenance projects is long.

Under state law, PPEL dollars can be used for school facilities, equipment, repairs, technology, security, and other improvements. It cannot be spent on salaries or student programming. Districts must ask voters to renew their PPEL every 10 years.

Cedar Rapids voters have renewed the PPEL repeatedly over the last 50 years. We see no reason to break that streak, so we urge voters to support the measure.

PPEL has raised $113 million over the last decade. During that time, PPEL proceeds were used to repair campus parking lots, and playgrounds, energy conservation, buying or repairing buses, vans and other vehicles improve athletic facilities and buying a Chromebook computer for every student.

A portion of new PPEL dollars will be spent on HVAC upgrades, new windows, tile and carpet replacement.

Without the PPEL extension, the district would only be able to draw about $2 million in PPEL funding, roughly the amount it allocates to unanticipated emergency repairs each year. Without the extension, district officials could be forced to divert funding that could be used to teach students to cover maintenance needs. This board finds that to be a significantly less favorable option.

The September vote is unrelated to the failed bond issue last November. A survey by the district found continuing opposition to a large bond issue. But support for PPEL renewal Is strong, with voters understanding the difference between a large bond issue and regular maintenance needs.

We have heard no objections to renewing PPEL, likely since its approval is clearly needed. We hope district taxpayers turn out to vote yes.

More information about PPEL can be found at https://crschools.us/departments/operations/building-grounds/physical-plant-equipment-levy/

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