Jul 12, 2022

Link to webpage

Bettendorf Community School District voters will be asked to consider the renewal of the voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy at $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The 10-year voter-approved levy has been in place in the Bettendorf Community School District since 1975. The current voter-approved levy expires in June 2024. The question on the ballot is asking voters if they would support the voter-approved levy not to exceed $1.34 for 10 years commencing July 1, 2024.

“Our communities' continued support of the voter-approved PPEL has been a tremendous asset in supporting student learning,” said Michelle Morse, Ed.D., Superintendent. “The Physical Plant and Equipment Levy is key in providing the money to adapt and renovate our facilities, fund buses, and support technology for students and teachers.”

PPEL primarily provides school districts with the means to maintain buildings and grounds, and complete remodeling and capital improvements projects such as building additions. Single pieces of equipment greater than $500 can also be purchased through PPEL. The fund would raise roughly $2.3 million per year - more than $22M over 10 years. Approval of the $1.34 levy will not increase current property taxes.

Major Facility Projects

• Funded with PPEL & SAVE ($.01 sales tax)
• Neil Armstrong Elementary | (2006-2007)
• Middle School Pod Remodel/Addition & Renovations | (2004-2009)
• Herbert Hoover Commons | (2011-2012)
• District Administration Center | (2011-2013)
• BHS Renovations, Library Remodel & Performing Arts Center | (2011-2013)
• Grant Wood Elementary | (2018-2019)
• Mark Twain Elementary | (2019-2020)
• Herbert Hoover Secure Entrance | (2021-2022)
• 2002-2022 PPEL Projects

ADA Upgrades | Air Conditioning of Schools | Athletic Facility Improvements | Security Improvements | Asbestos Abatement | New Busses & School Vehicles | Classroom Remodels | Computer Replacement | Gym Floor Maintenance & Replacement | Electrical Improvements | HVAC Repair & Replacement | Intercom/Emergency Systems | Energy Efficient Lighting | Parking Lot & Sidewalk Maintenance | Playground Repair & Replacement | Plumbing Maintenance | Roof Replacements | Security Cameras | Technology Infrastructure | School Vehicles | Window Replacement

Approval will allow the district to not only maintain facilities, but also maintain and improve technology infrastructure and equipment, as well as upgrade playgrounds and athletic facilities. If residents don’t approve the voter-approved PPEL, the $1.34 levy expires and uses of voted PPEL funds stop.

Voters may request an absentee ballot by visiting the Scott County Auditor’s website at https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/auditor/early-voting/mail. Requests are due August 29. Bettendorf Community School District Residents are able to vote in person 7 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, September 13th at either St. John Vianney - 4097 18th St., or QC Area Realtors - 1900 State St. in Bettendorf.

PPEL use is specifically restricted by state code to:

• Purchase of buildings
• Purchase and improvement of grounds
• Construction of schoolhouses or buildings
• Opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings
• Purchase, lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment
• Payment of debts contracted for the erection of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds
• Procuring or acquisition of libraries
• Repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses, or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses
• Expenditures for energy conservation
• Rental of facilities under Chapter 28E
• Purchase of transportation equipment for transporting students
• Lease purchase option agreements for school buildings and or equipment
• Equipment purchases authorized by the laws of the State of Iowa; i.e. technology
• Any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law
• How is PPEL different from other Funds?
• All Fund uses are restricted by Iowa Code
• Certain PPEL expenses cannot be paid from other funds
• Funds from the PPEL levy may NOT be used for employee salaries, curriculum, or instruction costs
• Local Option Sales Tax: major building renovations
• General Fund: salaries, curriculum, instruction
• Management Fund: insurance, early retirements, unemployment
• School Nutrition Fund: school lunch programs
• Student Activity Fund: co-curricular programming

Resolution Question

SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED?

PROPOSITION A

YES [ ]

NO [ ]

Shall the Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; purchasing of buildings; purchase, lease or lease purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; renting facilities under Iowa Code Chapter 28E; purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, or each year thereafter?