By Roz Weis,
Decorah Community School District voters will go to the polls two times in 2024.
The first scheduled vote is set for Sept. 10, and the question on the ballot involves approval of the Revenue Purpose Statement, which would give the district permission to use penny sales tax (SAVE) funds for infrastructure and technology needs through 2051.
Meeting in special session last Thursday afternoon, DCSD board members unanimously approved setting the Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) vote for Sept. 10. Should the RPS be adopted, the length of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) revenue is extended from Jan. 1, 2031, to Jan. 1, 2051, and increases the district’s bonding capacity. The adoption does not increase taxes.
A Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) is a ballot measure describing how a school district will spend sales tax funds the State of Iowa has dedicated to public schools through the SAVE program. State law mandates that all SAVE money must be used for local property tax relief or school infrastructure needs. If a district wants to utilize its SAVE funds on infrastructure projects by spending that money or bonding against it, officials must ask voters to approve an RPS allowing them to forgo property tax relief.
During the May 16 meeting, board members were reminded that legislation in 2019 set all RPSs voted on before July 1, 2019, to expire on Jan. 1, 2031. For districts to continue spending SAVE funds as they wish, each must secure new RPSs approved by voters.
The second scheduled vote is the Nov. 7 bond issue for a new elementary school to replace 60-year-old John Cline School.
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