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