Patrons of a few area school districts have the chance to head to the polls today to decide the fate of bond issues or PPEL renewals. The Audubon Community School Board is asking registered district voters to renew the district’s Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) for another ten years. This levy, which the board is proposing to leave at its current rate of $.67 per thousand valuation. Those PPEL funds can only be used for specific purposes as stated by Iowa Law, including, but not limited to: Student Security (Security cameras, secure entrances, playground upgrades); Building Maintenance; Transportation Equipment; Technology and Energy Savings.

By using PPEL funds to maintain facilities and equipment school officials say the Audubon Community School District has been able to hold the line on the General Fund levy, making it one of the lowest levies in the area. This has also allowed the school board to focus General Fund dollars on the District’s main goal of providing a first-rate education to Audubon students. If you have any questions concerning the PPEL fund levy, please feel free to contact the Superintendent’s office at 712-563-2607. Voting will open at 12:00 p.m. and will close at 8:00 p.m. at the Agri-hall at the Audubon Fairgrounds.

Voters in the Treynor School District will decide the fate of an $11.5 million bond issue for a wide range of projects. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Treynor Community Center. If approved by the necessary 60% supermajority, the referendum would cover a long list of proposed improvements, including classrooms at the high school for increased enrollment, a new fine arts complex at the high school–including a new auditorium plus new vocal and band areas–renovation of the existing auditorium into a new wrestling area–including locker rooms and storage, renovation of the district’s weight room, and updated sprinkler and HVAC systems. Also covered: a new drop-off location at Treynor Elementary School, as well as a new transportation facility near the back of the building. School officials say passage of the bond issue would equate to a property tax increase for the district’s patrons. Plans call for all projects to be finished in the time for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. In April, voters rejected the PPEL by 54% of the vote.

And, Council Bluffs Community School District residents will have the opportunity to go the polls today, to vote on whether the district should issue  $37-million in General Obligation Bonds, to fund improvements and renovation at the District’s two middle schools, Kirn and Wilson. Renovations will address areas of concern identified during a year-long facility audit by a committee of teachers, parents, administrators and representatives of an architectural firm. If the bond is approved, the architects will develop detailed plans and specifications. The renovation of each building is estimated to be in the $14-$17 million range.  If the costs are less than $37 million, the school district will not borrow the full amount allowed, which will decrease the amount of the tax rate. This measure would not allow the school district to borrow more than $37 million. The District’s website say the total levy is currently $17.24 per thousand valuation, and would increase by 49 cents per thousand on the taxable value of property if the bond is approved. That amounts to an annual property tax increase of $31 for an appraised home value of $120,000.