Q&A: Johnston School District Voters to Decide on Levy Feb. 7

Johnston residents will hit the voting booths for the fourth time in less than a year on Feb. 7, this time to decide whether to extend a levy for the . 

Residents are being asked to approve the physical plant and equipment levy at the same rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the fiscal years 2014-2023.

While the levy does not mean an increase to property taxes, it does mean the district can continue providing services the community relies on, including building repairs and technology.

Jan Miller-Hook in the district's financial services offices answered several questions regarding the upcoming vote and what it means to the community. 

What is PPEL?

PPEL, or physical plant and equipment levy, is a voter-approved capital projects fund for Iowa school districts to help pay for the purchase of equipment and maintenance of buildings, grounds and other infrastructure.

What is the district's history with PPEL?

PPEL replaced the schoolhouse levy in fiscal year 1998. Johnston had the schoolhouse levy (which had a maximum of 67.5 cents per $1,000) from fiscal year 1978 through fiscal year 1997.

Then, starting in fiscal year 1998, the 67.5 cent levy from schoolhouse was replaced with PPEL. (PPEL maximum was 67.5 cents per $1,000 until it was raised to $1.34 legislatively in the early 1990s). 

The district then had the 67.5 cent voted PPEL levy from fiscal year 1998 through fiscal 2003. For fiscal year 2004 through fiscal year 2013, the voter-approved levy was the maximum $1.34 per $1,000.

School District Levy History

Why is it necessary to have a public vote on PPEL?
 
School districts may use the physical plant and equipment levy only upon a majority approval of the voters of the school district.

How does the district use PPEL money?

On an annual basis, the PPEL money is used for roof repair and replacement, carpet/floor replacement, heating and cooling replacement, bus purchases, and debt obligations from PPEL notes used for construction. In addition to these annual costs, the revenue has been used to install classroom technology, install fiber throughout the district, purchase of computers, hardware/server replacement, energy saving controls, scoreboard and sound systems, install card access at school sites, locker replacement, and purchase equipment throughout the years.

Are there any specific projects you can name that PPEL money was used for?

The largest expenses from PPEL funding have been technology (computer equipment installation in classrooms district-wide, purchase of computers, servers, etc), joint project with the City of Johnston for fiber throughout the district, purchase of buses, flooring, roofing, sidewalks and parking lot additions, and the purchase of land for . In addition, $6.5 million PPEL notes helped to fund .

How will PPEL affect Johnston residents?

This levy will not increase property taxes. The district is asking voters to decide whether to continue the levy at the same rate of $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation. This continued levy would ensure funding for these same types of expenses including but not limited to roof repair, flooring, HVAC replacements, bus and equipment purchases, and debt obligations.
 
What would happen if the PPEL does not pass on Feb. 7?

Because of the importance of this funding, we would try again to pass it with a subsequent vote before the current levy expires in 2013. We have projects and purchases still needing to be completed that would have to be paid for by other options such as the general fund where 82 percent is dedicated to salaries if the levy is not passed. The district will struggle to meet the maintenance requirements of our schools without this funding.

The Johnston school district will host a community meeting at 7 p.m on Monday, Jan. 30 at the Johnston Public Library to answer questions abou the PPEL vote.