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.

PTO is seeking raffle prizes for Fun Night

The PTO is currently seeking donated items for the raffle we hold during our annual Fun Night on Friday, April 19. Past raffles have included a wide range of prizes from restaurants, hotels, bowling alleys, movie theaters, salons, book stores, banks, radio stations, sports teams, and more.

If you have items to donate or know of (or work for!) a local business that would consider donating goods or services, please contact Raffle Chairperson Mary Kenyon at mgkenyon8@yahoo.com.

A number of PTO members are busily working behind the scenes in preparation for Fun Night. Watch for more information and calls for volunteers in the coming weeks.

Updated: Track club invites young runners to first practice Feb. 3

The Iowa Speed Track and Field Club will begin practice for the season on Sunday, Feb. 10. Anyone in 2nd-8th grade is welcome to join the club, which is coached by Joey and Heather Woody of Iowa City. Practices will be held every Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the University of Iowa indoor track. The club fee is $40 per month, but scholarships are available by contacting the coaches: coachheather10@gmail.comcoachheather10@gmail.com

PTO will discuss safety, school district policies, upcoming events at Jan. 14 meeting

After taking a month off in December, we have a full agenda for our January PTO meeting, Monday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. As always, childcare will be available at no cost in the Kindergarten room.

Highlights from the agenda include a report from Principal Karrie Merriweather about recent safety improvements, information on the upcoming Free Family Fun Night (Jan. 18) and Family Supper (Feb. 8,) final results of our Make a Mighty Difference fundraising campaign, and a discussion of the upcoming district-wide vote on a new Revenue Purpose Statement as well as the district's draft diversity policy.

DPO meets Wednesday at Lucas

The Districtwide Parents' Organization will meet Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the Lucas art room. This is an open meeting for anyone interested. The guest speaker will be Kathy Jepsen, discussing the district's Extended Learning Program (ELP.)

Thank you to our fabulous volunteer network for providing the food, tableware, set-up and clean-up needed for Lucas to host this meeting.

City seeks input on improving transit and police department

The City of Iowa City is gathering information about what can be done to improve the transit system and the police department to better serve our minority populations. The city's ad hoc diversity committee is holding three Public Information Gathering Sessions this week:

• Tuesday, Jan. 8, 6 p.m., Pheasant Ridge Center 2651 Roberts Drive 
• Wednesday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m., Hy-Vee Waterfront Club Room,1720 Waterfront Drive 
• Thursday, Jan. 10, 6 p.m., The Spot,1030 Crosspark Ave

The two primary meeting topics are:

• operation of the City's transit system, including but not limited to the downtown interchange
• operation of the City law enforcement, including but not limited to the Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) as it relates to minority populations 

The meeting is open to the public, and anyone is welcome to attend and share comments and concerns. Individuals needing special accommodations or having translation questions should contact City Clerk Marian Karr at 356-5041 at least 48 hours in advance. If you are unable to attend comments may be sent to:

Ad Hoc Diversity Committee
c/o City Clerk
City of Iowa City
410 E Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52240

Or e-mail to staff: marian-karr@iowa-city.org

Comments must include full name and address. (Anonymous correspondence will not be accepted.) All correspondence is public.