Please vote in next week's school election

We want to ensure the Lucas families are aware of a very important vote coming up on Tuesday, Feb. 5. This is a simple yes/no vote to approve or decline to approve a new Revenue Purpose Statement for the district. We are offering the following information about the issue at hand in the hope that all will feel empowered to participate.

The Revenue Purpose Statement is a document that specifies how the Iowa City School District spends the money collected through the 1-cent SILO tax (school infrastructure local option sales tax.) This tax was approved by voters in 2007 and will be in effect at least through 2029. However, beginning in 2017, the Iowa City School District will lose its ability to spend these funds as needed locally and will instead be required to follow state guidelines, unless a new Revenue Purpose Statement is approved before 2017.

The Revenue Purpose Statement is separate from the school district’s diversity policy. The School Board, not the public, is voting on the diversity policy.

The Iowa City School District is currently faced with expansive growth (more than 1,000 students in the last five years) as well as aging facilities (Lucas celebrates its 50th birthday this year; other buildings are even older.) Adopting the new Revenue Purpose Statement would, among other things, allow the district to borrow against future revenues so that several projects could be started at the same time. If the new statement is not approved, the district will have funds available as they are received, and Supt. Murley has indicated in information sessions that new construction would be prioritized over improvements to older buildings.

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at your school polling place (note: this may be different from your polling place for last November’s national election.) You can confirm your voting location with the Johnson County Auditor: http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/voter/school.htm

Absentee ballots are available from all Iowa City Community Schools and Auditor’s office. If returning a ballot by mail, it must be postmarked by Feb. 4. You may vote early at these sites:

• Daily: Johnson County Auditor’s Office, 913 South Dubuque 
• Jan. 31, 1-4 p.m.: University of Iowa Hospitals 
• Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Iowa City Public Library 

For more information from the Iowa City School District, please see: http://www.edline.net/pages/ICCSD/Community/Revenue_Purpose_Statement_Vote

For a contrasting local view, please see the Saturday, Jan. 26, Press-Citizen editorial:

http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20130126/OPINION03/301260021/Our-View-District-s-plan-far-from-ready-vote-no-Feb-5

We are providing both links in an effort to demonstrate that the Lucas Elementary PTO is not advocating one side or the other in this vote. Our intent is merely to ensure that our school community is aware and informed about the Feb. 5 vote. 

Thank you for your time, attention, and careful consideration of this vote.