(Radio Iowa) – Voters in Iowa’s second largest school district will decide next month on whether to continue a levy for school facility maintenance and equipment. Cedar Rapids Community Schools Superintendent Tawana Grover says for 50 years, the voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy — or PPEL — has been an important pot of money for the district.

Last year, voters said no to the district’s bond for new buildings. This special election does not include any projects from that plan. Some of the district’s buildings are over a hundred years old. Since the district has already been putting aside the money for 50 years, Grover says re-upping will -not- impact tax rates.

If renewed, PPEL would provide more than 10-million dollars over ten years for facilities, equipment, security and other improvements. Today (Wednesday) is the first day voters in the district can receive absentee ballots or vote early in-person. Special Election Day is September 10th.