Letter to the editor: 48 AEA superintendents urge SAVE renewal

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2003
The Perry Performing Arts Center was built in the summer and fall of 2010 using funds raised from bonds sold against future SAVE revenue through 2029. Photo courtesy Perry Community School District

To the editor:

Since 2008 Iowans have provided 1 percent of state sales, services and use taxes to support local school building safety and repair needs through the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund.

That law will sunset unless the legislature and the governor take action to extend this dependable alternative to property taxes.

School districts are required to address safety concerns, such as replacing aging building wiring to eliminate fire hazards, removing and abating asbestos, monitoring radon and installing secure building and classroom entryways.

Just as homes require continuous care and maintenance, school buildings require this same attention. Roofs must be maintained and replaced, while lighting upgrades bring increased energy efficiencies, and new classroom technologies require changes to electrical infrastructure.

Local schools serve as critical student-learning hubs and community centers. As interested citizens, community members and school officials, we’re proud of our schools and see the need to invest in this valuable resource.

We are asking all Iowa legislators and Gov. Branstad to support an extension of the SAVE fund. Help assure that all students have the facilities needed for safe and challenging learning environments and all communities have adequate funds to meet ongoing school safety, repair and replacement needs.

Paula Vincent
Chief Administrator
Heartland AEA

M. Lynn Ubben
Superintendent
Perry Community School

Michael Wright
Superintendent
Earlham Community School District

Brian VanderSluis
Superintendent
Twin Cedars Community Schools

Susie Meade
Superintendent
Winterset Community School District

Matt Patton
Superintendent
Roland-Story Community School District

Doug Wheeler
Superintendent
Saydel Community School District

Brett Gibbs
Superintendent
Audubon Community Schools
Coon Rapids – Bayard Community School District

Corey Lunn
Superintendent
Johnston Community School District

Steve Bass
Superintendent
Urbandale Community School District

Randy Alger
Superintendent
Melcher-Dallas Community School District

Brian Horn
Superintendent
Madrid Community School District

Steve Smith
Superintendent
Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center School Districts

Shawn Holloway
Superintendent
Panorama Community Schools

Todd Martin
Superintendent
Baxter Community School District

Lindsey Beecher
Superintendent
Gilbert Community School District

Trevor Miller
Superintendent
Exira-EHK Community School District

Brad Anderson
Superintendent
Woodward-Granger Community School District

Kreg Lensch
Superintendent
Glidden-Ralston Community School District/Paton-Churdan Community School District

Steve Gray
Superintendent
Nevada Community School District
Colo-NESCO Community School District

Delane Galvin
Superintendent
Southeast Warren Community School District

Ottie Maxey
Superintendent
Ballard Community School District
Collins-Maxwell Community School District

Bryce Amos
Superintendent
Carlisle Community Schools

Greg Dufoe
Superintendent
Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District

Tracy Hook
Superintendent
Colfax-Mingo Community School District

Cassi Pearson
Superintendent
Knoxville Community School District

Rob Cordes
Superintendent
Carroll Community School District

Scott Grimes
Superintendent
Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District

Dirk Halupnik
Superintendent
Southeast Polk Community Schools

Lisa Remy
Superintendent
West Des Moines Community Schools

Dan Mart
Superintendent
North Polk Community School District

Bruce Kimpston
Superintendent
Ankeny Community School District

D. T. Magee
Superintendent
Norwalk Community School District

Kevin Fiene
Superintendent
I-35 Community School District

Deron Durflinger
Superintendent
Van Meter Community School District

Cynthia McDonald
Superintendent
Waukee Community School District

David Arnold
Superintendent
West Central Valley Community School District

Art Sathoff
Superintendent
Indianola Community School District

Greg Ebeling
Superintendent
Pella Community Schools

Thomas Ahart, Superintendent
Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Chair, DMPS Board
Cindy Elsbernd, Vice-Chair, DMPS Board
Des Moines Public Schools

Bob Callaghan
Superintendent
Newton Community School District

Tim Salmon
Superintendent
United Community School District

Brad Jermeland
Superintendent
PCM Community School District

Brad Manard
Superintendent
Boone Community School District

Tom Wood
Superintendent
Martensdale-St. Marys

Tim Hoffman
Superintendent
Ogden

Shane Ehresman
Superintendent
Lynnville-Sully

Rich Powers
Superintendent
Bondurant-Farrar

The Perry Performing Arts Center was built in the summer and fall of 2010 using funds raised from bonds sold against future SAVE revenue through 2029. Photo courtesy Perry Community School District

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