Ames School Board Leaves $65 Million Decision to Voters

The Ames Community School Board couldn't come to a full agreement on how to repair the district's aging schools but decided it was time for voters to settle the matter.

The board voted 6-1 Monday to put a $65 million project to repair and replace the district's elementary schools up for a vote.

Board members have been discussing their facilities' needs for at least the last three years when the board decided that it needed some kind of long-range facilities plan.

A condition of facilities report given in November showed that all of the elementary schools are in need of updating, most were built with asbestos containing materials and all but two and have water infiltration issues, the report said.

The plan that will go to voters includes building three new elementary schools on district property at 24th Street, Miller Avenue and on the current  school site.   and  elementary schools would be repaired. Roosevelt Elementary would reopen and   and  elementary schools would close.

Board member Bill Talbot cast the dissenting vote.

“I think the six school plan is incorrect,” he said.

Woodin said during Monday's meeting that he was not either, but wanted people to have a chance to vote on the issue.

In a July 12 school board meeting Talbot and Woodin outlined their own plan for schools that included building a new elementary school, but also making some improvements to the Ames High School and selling district property including Roosevelt Elementary, according to an article in the Ames Tribune.

Board Member, John Hascall said before the vote to put the issue on the ballot, that people may not agree with the board's entire plan but maybe would agree on parts of it.

Board member Francis Todey said he wished the architect had completed the long term facilities plan before the School Facilities Petition Committee members asked for the signatures needed to put a $65 million bond referendum on the ballot, because it would have answered many of the potential signers questions.

The architect's full long range plan will be presented to the board sometime in August. Todey said the board isn't focusing on the elementary schools alone and the plan would show the board's vision for all facilities in the district.

The $65 million project could raise property taxes up to $2.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation but that amount will be reduced when a .34 cent levy expires in 2011. And if the school board votes to use $1 million of its current school infrastructure local option sales tax revenue for schools, to pay down the debt, the rate would sink to $1.56 per $1,000 assessed valuation. At that rate, an owner of a home assessed at $100,000 would pay about $6 more a month in property taxes.

In order for the bond referendum to pass voters would have to approve the measure by 60 percent plus 1.

The referendum will be added to the Sept. 13 ballot for school board elections. The seats of Mary Jurenka, Paul Sodders, Francis Todey, Dan Woodin and John Hascall are up for election. Filings for the seats close Thursday Aug. 4.