MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The Montezuma School Board will hold 3 work sessions to review and revise the current facility plan. ALL SCHOOL STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THESE WORK SESSIONS.
The work sessions will be at 6:30 pm in the High School study hall or one of the gyms, if the crowd is too large for the study hall. Specific Agendas:
Monday November 15 – initial revisions and changes to the current plan will be discussed and explored
Monday November 29 – a new revised plan will be shared and reviewed(based on the ideas and changes from the November 15 meeting)
Monday December 13 - a final draft of a new revised plan will be shared and reviewed
Staff & community member input will be critical to the board’s decision on how to proceed with building plans. The work sessions are not stand alone meetings. Each meeting will build upon the previous meeting. The board’s goal is to develop a new plan that can be supported by the community if another bond election is held. The board will probably make a decision on whether to have another bond election at its regular January or February meeting. These work sessions are not regular board meetings and the board cannot make any formal decisions at them. At the regular December 15 school board meeting the new revised plan will be on the agenda for approval by the Board.
Hope to see you there.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
80'S DAY AT SCHOOL - YES DAY AT THE POLLS
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Final Hours Before the Vote
Before making your decision, please take the time to think about these things:
1. If the bond issue fails to pass and we lose our school, our property taxes WILL go up. Every school district around us has a higher rate than we do. Even if the bond passes, we will still be right where our neighboring districts are at. Right now, we have the second lowest rate in the state. Even if the bond passes, we will still be in the lowest 50% of the state.
2. In addition to paying a higher tax anyway, we will:
a. Lose the 100% representation we have on the school board at present (we will just get one or two people on the board from our district).
b. Local property values will more than likely decrease.
c. Our local businesses will likely not survive. Do we really want to lose our local grocery store, restaurants, retail shops, entertainment choices, etc.?
d. Our children will be bussed to another town to go to school. Or our children will be driving 30+ miles/day to and from school. Do we really want our young drivers and students on the road that often for such long distances?
e. We will be traveling out of town for home games.
f. We will lose our strong Montezuma community and sense of solidarity.
Please do the math and get the facts before voting. Our kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc. deserve it. Someone paid to educate us, let’s all pay it forward.
Don’t forget to vote YES for BOTH initiatives! Polls are open from 7am to 8pm at the Montezuma Library. Call 641-891-8761 if you need a ride to the polls.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
OPINION: Jim Smothers, Sr. Encourages Voters to Do What is Right for Our Children
Do what is right for our children
Sept. 7, 2010
An Open Letter to the voters of the Montezuma Community School District:
I am encouraging the people of Montezuma to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue for the following reasons:
First, everyone who has received a public education has received it because a previous generation of people financially provided it. I believe that we have a responsibility to make the proposed improvements for the future of the children of Montezuma.
Second, some will say that enrollment is declining, and we will have to consolidate with another school district. Enrollment ebbs and flows and enrollments have basically stayed the same for the past 52 years. In fact, my graduating class had the enrollment of 41 in 1957. Students do move away and come back to raise their children in the Montezuma Community School that is not latent with drugs, gangs or saturated with sex among the students.
Third, some would say that the the eleven million (dollars) is excessive. Agreed, it is a lot of money. Please consider going to the Montezuma Schools Web Page (www.montezuma.k12.ia.us) and do the property tax calculations; you would be surprised that the cost per hundred thousand is much less than the figures that have been floating around the community. Also, consider what it will cost in taxes if we go to another community for education. Those schools that we consolidate with will no doubt have to be improved to handle the influx of students.
I realize that people don't like to pay taxes, and many are trying to reduce household expenses, but sometimes you have to do what is right for the children of this community and make the investment for their educational future.
Again, I am encouraging you to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue on Sept. 14, 2010.
James L. Smothers, Senior
1824 470th Avenue
Montezuma, Iowa
Sept. 7, 2010
An Open Letter to the voters of the Montezuma Community School District:
I am encouraging the people of Montezuma to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue for the following reasons:
First, everyone who has received a public education has received it because a previous generation of people financially provided it. I believe that we have a responsibility to make the proposed improvements for the future of the children of Montezuma.
Second, some will say that enrollment is declining, and we will have to consolidate with another school district. Enrollment ebbs and flows and enrollments have basically stayed the same for the past 52 years. In fact, my graduating class had the enrollment of 41 in 1957. Students do move away and come back to raise their children in the Montezuma Community School that is not latent with drugs, gangs or saturated with sex among the students.
Third, some would say that the the eleven million (dollars) is excessive. Agreed, it is a lot of money. Please consider going to the Montezuma Schools Web Page (www.montezuma.k12.ia.us) and do the property tax calculations; you would be surprised that the cost per hundred thousand is much less than the figures that have been floating around the community. Also, consider what it will cost in taxes if we go to another community for education. Those schools that we consolidate with will no doubt have to be improved to handle the influx of students.
I realize that people don't like to pay taxes, and many are trying to reduce household expenses, but sometimes you have to do what is right for the children of this community and make the investment for their educational future.
Again, I am encouraging you to vote 'Yes' for the school bond issue on Sept. 14, 2010.
James L. Smothers, Senior
1824 470th Avenue
Montezuma, Iowa
LEW LUNDY SAID: U CAN TELL A LOT ABOUT A COMMUNITY BY ITS SCHOOL
This opinion article was written by Keith Brake, http://www.clownsiniowa.com/
Brake in the Action
by Keith Brake
Look at our schools and see . . . US!
To stay on the highway, we need a roadbed
Sept. 2, 2010
How do you paint a face on the future?
What will our Montezuma schools look like in 30 years?
Would you run out and take a picture of blue sky? You might as well, because you can't photograph students working with technology that hasn't even been invented yet.
It's pretty difficult to put your arms around a concept. People who sell any kind of a service know how difficult that can be.
With a thing, it's a little different.
If the thing is a vehicle, for example, you can sit in the driver's seat, enjoy the fresh smell of the upholstery, kick the tires.
You know what good service is. But can you take a real, tangible picture of it?
No. But you can imagine it.
We learn by turning all input to our brain - words, concepts, etc., - into pictures. Until the picture appears in our mind's eye, no learning takes place. Concepts remain abstract and formless.
I have been wrestling mentally with how the Montezuma school bond issue has been presented. So have some others. Some have said it has been presented as a maintenance issue - that we're needing to pass an $11.5 million bond issue in order to fix some broken clocks and unify the color of floor tiles.
That's not true, of course. There is and has been money available to repair those things. It happens that those particular items haven't been repaired yet for one reason or another and now, they're convenient for illustrative purposes.
They are symbols of a much larger issue.
An ever-changing information superhighway is being built across the globe. Unless we want it to bypass our children and theirs, we need to lay down a roadbed that's strong enough to support it.
That's part of what this is about. That is what it has always been about in American public education.
The late Lew Lundy, who was a teacher, coach and superintendent here for many years, told me once that you can tell a lot about the pride of a community by the quality of its public school facilities.
If you're going to use more appliances and devices that need electricity, you need to make sure you've got enough wiring capacity to handle all the juice.
You might have to do some re-wiring.
Or, let's say you have a young family and you buy a small starter home with no garage.
Your family grows. You add vehicles.
There might not be anything wrong with your starter home - but maybe it's time to make it someone else's starter home.
So, you upgrade.
Now, let's say you're the school district, and you run new wiring in behind the walls, and to do that you need to knock out the walls . . .and if you do that you might expose asbestos . . and if you do that, you need to get rid of it . . .and so it goes.
If you've got a "crooked" hallway, like we do in the 1928 junior high, you can leave it that way. But if you change it, by remodeling classrooms, for example, state mandates say you must straighten the hallway and have exits at either end of it.
One thing adds to another . . . and it adds up.
People say they can't get their arms around the idea of $11.5 million.
Neither can I, for that matter . . but maybe this is why . . . Montezuma passed bond issues in the late 20s, the late 50s and the late 80s. The first time, it cost $115,000. The second time, $585,000. The last time: $1.5 million.
Things get more expensive. Water that has gradually gotten warmer since last we voted looks like a boiling caldron at $11.5 million. Our reluctance to jump in is understandable.
The project could be done in segments - perhaps one part every five years. If the Sept. 14 issue fails, that is probably what this and future boards will attempt to do. It will be increasingly expensive each time and it may get irksome to the voters.
We might just say 'forget it' and go to assisted living, which in this case would be a merger, forced or otherwise, with a neighboring district.
Assisted living often is nice. It has a cost.
We'll still be paying taxes. All of the districts around us have higher tax rates at present. They're all consolidated districts.
We still have that big blue "M" label on all our stuff and it has meant something to us. I can't take a tangible photo of that "something," but I just sense it has been there. Control. We're still in control . . of us.
History is on our side.
We really don't know what the state is going to do. It would seem that districts which have already consolidated would be targets for more of the same.
An independent old cuss usually is given some space. They stay in their homes longer in the first place.
There is no guarantee that an updated, well-equipped building will keep our school under our full control for a certain number of years.
But it will buy some time.
It will put some bounce back in our step, some arch in our backs and some bow in our necks!
And that's the other element this bond issue is about. It's about being able to rise up as a community and throw a celebratory fist in the air . . .and not worry about whether the person sitting next to us is doing the same.
There is an element in our community that is trying to make it grow. Bigger will be better in the Iowa of the future. Getting this done would make a statement. It would be a huge step.
We won't sink like so many blue and white rocks if we don't pass this or future school bond votes. And there will be others - coming right up, in smaller portions, if the Sept. 14 issue fails. Or, should history repeat, in about 30 years, if it passes this time.
Every failure would reduce our forward speed. It would be like a cancer. Our lights as a community would dim . . .slowly.
I think that Montezuma is a community that has lost some confidence in itself, over time. Maybe our real colors are faded blue and white, rather than royal blue and white.
Our confidence is not all gone. But do you hear yourself or others saying, "they can't do that," or "we aren't good enough/big enough/qualified enough for that," or "we're probably going to lose the school anyway"?
When you're constantly cutting down others, it's a symptom that you don't like or value yourself, either.
It wasn't just the school board that hired Dave Versteeg to be the superintendent. It was a committee, representing a cross-section or at least a sampling of the community, that made the recommendation.
They brought in a gentleman who is relentlessly, obsessively optimistic about building our school and the community. He is systematic. He can measure and quantify and explain things that are abstractions or formless to many of us. He has vision.
He has developed professional relationships with experts who know how to get things done.
We need to control what we can control, which means we had better continue down the path we put ourselves on.
There is still time to do that.
Money is a replenishable commodity. If you focus on ways to make it - or lose it - you likely will . . .
Lost confidence is more precious. Drive through any number of Iowa towns and you know the end of their vibrancy is gaining on them.
I have been discouraged at how little effort many in the community have made to learn about what is going on with this issue.
There is still time to learn.
Every voter owes it to themselves to make an informed decision. Not voting is not a choice. It's a no-choice.
We have that precious right to choose, so let us exercise it.
Brake in the Action
by Keith Brake
To stay on the highway, we need a roadbed
Sept. 2, 2010
How do you paint a face on the future?
What will our Montezuma schools look like in 30 years?
Would you run out and take a picture of blue sky? You might as well, because you can't photograph students working with technology that hasn't even been invented yet.
It's pretty difficult to put your arms around a concept. People who sell any kind of a service know how difficult that can be.
With a thing, it's a little different.
If the thing is a vehicle, for example, you can sit in the driver's seat, enjoy the fresh smell of the upholstery, kick the tires.
You know what good service is. But can you take a real, tangible picture of it?
No. But you can imagine it.
We learn by turning all input to our brain - words, concepts, etc., - into pictures. Until the picture appears in our mind's eye, no learning takes place. Concepts remain abstract and formless.
I have been wrestling mentally with how the Montezuma school bond issue has been presented. So have some others. Some have said it has been presented as a maintenance issue - that we're needing to pass an $11.5 million bond issue in order to fix some broken clocks and unify the color of floor tiles.
That's not true, of course. There is and has been money available to repair those things. It happens that those particular items haven't been repaired yet for one reason or another and now, they're convenient for illustrative purposes.
They are symbols of a much larger issue.
An ever-changing information superhighway is being built across the globe. Unless we want it to bypass our children and theirs, we need to lay down a roadbed that's strong enough to support it.
That's part of what this is about. That is what it has always been about in American public education.
The late Lew Lundy, who was a teacher, coach and superintendent here for many years, told me once that you can tell a lot about the pride of a community by the quality of its public school facilities.
If you're going to use more appliances and devices that need electricity, you need to make sure you've got enough wiring capacity to handle all the juice.
You might have to do some re-wiring.
Or, let's say you have a young family and you buy a small starter home with no garage.
Your family grows. You add vehicles.
There might not be anything wrong with your starter home - but maybe it's time to make it someone else's starter home.
So, you upgrade.
Now, let's say you're the school district, and you run new wiring in behind the walls, and to do that you need to knock out the walls . . .and if you do that you might expose asbestos . . and if you do that, you need to get rid of it . . .and so it goes.
If you've got a "crooked" hallway, like we do in the 1928 junior high, you can leave it that way. But if you change it, by remodeling classrooms, for example, state mandates say you must straighten the hallway and have exits at either end of it.
One thing adds to another . . . and it adds up.
People say they can't get their arms around the idea of $11.5 million.
Neither can I, for that matter . . but maybe this is why . . . Montezuma passed bond issues in the late 20s, the late 50s and the late 80s. The first time, it cost $115,000. The second time, $585,000. The last time: $1.5 million.
Things get more expensive. Water that has gradually gotten warmer since last we voted looks like a boiling caldron at $11.5 million. Our reluctance to jump in is understandable.
The project could be done in segments - perhaps one part every five years. If the Sept. 14 issue fails, that is probably what this and future boards will attempt to do. It will be increasingly expensive each time and it may get irksome to the voters.
We might just say 'forget it' and go to assisted living, which in this case would be a merger, forced or otherwise, with a neighboring district.
Assisted living often is nice. It has a cost.
We'll still be paying taxes. All of the districts around us have higher tax rates at present. They're all consolidated districts.
We still have that big blue "M" label on all our stuff and it has meant something to us. I can't take a tangible photo of that "something," but I just sense it has been there. Control. We're still in control . . of us.
History is on our side.
We really don't know what the state is going to do. It would seem that districts which have already consolidated would be targets for more of the same.
An independent old cuss usually is given some space. They stay in their homes longer in the first place.
There is no guarantee that an updated, well-equipped building will keep our school under our full control for a certain number of years.
But it will buy some time.
It will put some bounce back in our step, some arch in our backs and some bow in our necks!
And that's the other element this bond issue is about. It's about being able to rise up as a community and throw a celebratory fist in the air . . .and not worry about whether the person sitting next to us is doing the same.
There is an element in our community that is trying to make it grow. Bigger will be better in the Iowa of the future. Getting this done would make a statement. It would be a huge step.
We won't sink like so many blue and white rocks if we don't pass this or future school bond votes. And there will be others - coming right up, in smaller portions, if the Sept. 14 issue fails. Or, should history repeat, in about 30 years, if it passes this time.
Every failure would reduce our forward speed. It would be like a cancer. Our lights as a community would dim . . .slowly.
I think that Montezuma is a community that has lost some confidence in itself, over time. Maybe our real colors are faded blue and white, rather than royal blue and white.
Our confidence is not all gone. But do you hear yourself or others saying, "they can't do that," or "we aren't good enough/big enough/qualified enough for that," or "we're probably going to lose the school anyway"?
When you're constantly cutting down others, it's a symptom that you don't like or value yourself, either.
It wasn't just the school board that hired Dave Versteeg to be the superintendent. It was a committee, representing a cross-section or at least a sampling of the community, that made the recommendation.
They brought in a gentleman who is relentlessly, obsessively optimistic about building our school and the community. He is systematic. He can measure and quantify and explain things that are abstractions or formless to many of us. He has vision.
He has developed professional relationships with experts who know how to get things done.
We need to control what we can control, which means we had better continue down the path we put ourselves on.
There is still time to do that.
Money is a replenishable commodity. If you focus on ways to make it - or lose it - you likely will . . .
Lost confidence is more precious. Drive through any number of Iowa towns and you know the end of their vibrancy is gaining on them.
I have been discouraged at how little effort many in the community have made to learn about what is going on with this issue.
There is still time to learn.
Every voter owes it to themselves to make an informed decision. Not voting is not a choice. It's a no-choice.
We have that precious right to choose, so let us exercise it.
Questions About the Bus Barn? Here are the Answers
This article was written by Keith Brake, http://www.clownsiniowa.com/.
Sept. 2, 2010
The Sept. 14 school bond election is rushing up to meet area voters, and school superintendent Dave Versteeg discussed the topic with members of the Montezuma Community Boosters during their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, in Hometown Restaurant.
"It's a lot of money," Versteeg said about the $11.5 million bond issue which would fund most of the proposed school remodeling project. "But nobody is more concerned about that than our board."
"The board decided to try to do this all at one time rather than divide it up into smaller projects over time," Versteeg said. "We think now is the time, because interest rates are at 3.5 percent now - that's low - and construction bids are coming in 10 to 15 percent under cost estimates."
"The project could be divided into smaller hunks," Versteeg said. "But the board decided that would not be the best way to approach this. They reasoned that if you borrow every five years, it gets increasingly harder to pass the bond issue that would be needed each time. Plus, costs would gradually increase."
Versteeg said the size and cost of the district's new bus barn has become an issue in the election. He provided some rationale behind the decision to build that facility: "People have asked why there are more bays than buses," he said. "The board wanted to be able to house all of the district's other vehicles. And the district owns more than $1 million worth of vehicles," Versteeg said.
"Some who own pole buildings don't have cement floors and have asked why the bus barn does. The state fire marshal required it," Versteeg said.
Regarding the barn's location, Versteeg said it was more economical to locate it where it is - next to Badger-Gabriel Field - so that it could hook into the city's sewer system. And he said having restroom facilities in the barn was state-mandated. Had the barn been located on property across the street and two blocks north, a lift station or a septic system would have been required, possibly adding several hundred thousand dollars to the cost. Versteeg noted that six possible locations were studied.
"Some decisions have been made that were difficult in short-term, but I think will be better in the long run," Versteeg said.
"There has been some concern about a lack of detail provided," the superintendent said. "But it costs to produce a lot of detail. Also, there has been some concern about our adding eight new classrooms. We're really not, because we're replacing eight classrooms that will be lost in the remodeling," he said.
Sept. 2, 2010
The Sept. 14 school bond election is rushing up to meet area voters, and school superintendent Dave Versteeg discussed the topic with members of the Montezuma Community Boosters during their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, in Hometown Restaurant.
"It's a lot of money," Versteeg said about the $11.5 million bond issue which would fund most of the proposed school remodeling project. "But nobody is more concerned about that than our board."
"The board decided to try to do this all at one time rather than divide it up into smaller projects over time," Versteeg said. "We think now is the time, because interest rates are at 3.5 percent now - that's low - and construction bids are coming in 10 to 15 percent under cost estimates."
"The project could be divided into smaller hunks," Versteeg said. "But the board decided that would not be the best way to approach this. They reasoned that if you borrow every five years, it gets increasingly harder to pass the bond issue that would be needed each time. Plus, costs would gradually increase."
"Some who own pole buildings don't have cement floors and have asked why the bus barn does. The state fire marshal required it," Versteeg said.
Regarding the barn's location, Versteeg said it was more economical to locate it where it is - next to Badger-Gabriel Field - so that it could hook into the city's sewer system. And he said having restroom facilities in the barn was state-mandated. Had the barn been located on property across the street and two blocks north, a lift station or a septic system would have been required, possibly adding several hundred thousand dollars to the cost. Versteeg noted that six possible locations were studied.
"Some decisions have been made that were difficult in short-term, but I think will be better in the long run," Versteeg said.
"There has been some concern about a lack of detail provided," the superintendent said. "But it costs to produce a lot of detail. Also, there has been some concern about our adding eight new classrooms. We're really not, because we're replacing eight classrooms that will be lost in the remodeling," he said.
Montezuma Ministerial Association Chimes In
This was taken from the Montezuma United Methodist Church e-mail newsletter sent out today:
The Montezuma Ministerial Association would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the many progressive initiatives taking place in our community. As leaders of our respective churches and congregations, we feel it is our duty to remind our community members to vote in the September 14, 2010 school bond election, wherein the local school district is seeking money to improve and upgrade the existing school facilities. It goes without saying that both churches and schools are vital ingredients of a vibrant community. The Association encourages all local voters to educate themselves on this important issue. Be sure to mark your calendars for the September 14 bond election and make your voice be heard concerning the future of our community.
OPINION: BOB BROWNELL WEIGHS IN - CLASS OF 1986
 |
| Bob Brownell Letter to the Editor, Deep River (Poweshiek County) Record, Week of September 1, 2010 |
Friday, September 3, 2010
OPINION: Here's What's Great About Montezuma
This week before the bond issue election, I wanted to write in with my support for the Montezuma Community School District ballot issue.
As a transplant resident, I have lived in 12 different communities and attended 6 different schools throughout my life, many very different from Montezuma. This is a great place to live and raise a family, and the school is certainly an important facet of our community.
Here’s what’s not so great about the Montezuma Community School District – its facilities. Compared to the schools around us, our buildings are outdated, out of compliance with state and federal regulations, and in some respects, dangerous. In addition, when prospective new families visit our building, it just doesn’t compare to the facilities of neighboring communities. Although the education provided by our faculty is first-rate, that fact is often overshadowed by what people SEE.
Please make sure you have the REAL facts about the issue before making your decision. Go to www.supportmonte.blogspot.com or to the school’s Web site at www.montezuma.k12.ia.us (click on “Bond Issue”) to get all your questions answered.
VOTE YES for both bond election initiatives on September 14. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rachelle L.K. Johnson
As a transplant resident, I have lived in 12 different communities and attended 6 different schools throughout my life, many very different from Montezuma. This is a great place to live and raise a family, and the school is certainly an important facet of our community.
Here’s what’s great about the Montezuma Community School District. Our kids get a fantastic education. Our kids are safe. Our kids are cared for. My brother, who lives in Florida, is amazed that my children go to school in the same building as high school students and actually thrive in that environment. Who says bigger schools are better? Montezuma is unique, and I would maintain lucky, to be one of the school districts in Iowa where all K-12 students attend class in the same building. That uniqueness provides us with a sense of community and cohesiveness that is a rare gem in today’s world.
Here’s what’s not so great about the Montezuma Community School District – its facilities. Compared to the schools around us, our buildings are outdated, out of compliance with state and federal regulations, and in some respects, dangerous. In addition, when prospective new families visit our building, it just doesn’t compare to the facilities of neighboring communities. Although the education provided by our faculty is first-rate, that fact is often overshadowed by what people SEE.
Please make sure you have the REAL facts about the issue before making your decision. Go to www.supportmonte.blogspot.com or to the school’s Web site at www.montezuma.k12.ia.us (click on “Bond Issue”) to get all your questions answered.
VOTE YES for both bond election initiatives on September 14. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rachelle L.K. Johnson
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
You've got questions? We've got answers.
Some district residents view slides showing repairs needed at the school.
Information is available on the school's website, including a 68-photo tour of areas in the building that are in need of repair.
To see the photos, go to: www.montezuma.k12.ia.us
To over to "bond issue" on the right side of the home page, then scroll down and you will find the information.
Supertintendent Dave Versteeg said it's a $15 million project. He said a question he hears often is, "why not just build a new building?"
"We can't afford it," he said. "Our debt capacity, by law, is just over $19 million," he said. "A new building could cost between $25 an $30 million."
Versteeg said $1 million worth of roof work alone needs to be done. "Not all at once, but over 10 years," he said.
"The junior high portion of our building was built in 1928 and not much has been changed," he said. "So, some portions of our building are 90 years old. We've been putting band-aids on something that needs surgery. It happens."
Another question the superintendent gets concerns why more classrooms are proposed during a time of decreasing enrollment.
"Because some of the existing rooms would be displaced by the remodeling of existing rooms and areas," he said.
Part of the proposed plan calls for a geo-thermal heating and cooling system at a cost of $1.6 million. "But we could save $40,000 a year on our heating bill," Versteeg said. "It would be more efficient. For that much savings we could cool the building, too. So we look at it more as an investment than a cost."
Here's a preliminary "frequently asked questions" list about the issue, with more questions and answers to be added as more input and information is obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Montezuma School District's General Obligation Bond Election
1) When is the election?
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010.
2) Where can I vote and what time are the polls open?
Voting will take place at the Montezuma Public Library, 500 East Main. Hours 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
3) Who can vote in this election?
Any eligible, registered resident of the Montezuma Community School District can vote.
4) How to I register to vote?
You can register to vote prior to the election at the Auditor's Office at the courthouse. Youc an also register to vote online at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html
Or - you can register to vote on election day if you bring proof of residence at intentity with you to the voting poll.
5) What if I live in the Montezuma School District, but my children open enroll to a different school - can I still vote?
Yes. You are eligible to vote.
6) Can I vote absentee?
Yes. Absentee ballots are available starting Aug. 5 at the Poweshiek County Auditor's Office in the courthouse in Montezuma, or the request form is available online at www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html
7) What percentage is required for passage of the election?
Sixty (60) percent.
8) On the sample ballot there are two questions that I have to vote on. Why is this?
The first question asks if you support the borrowijng of the money by the school district. The second question asks if you support the increase in property taxes. In order for the measure to pass, each question must have 60 percent approval.
9) How much money will be raised by the issuing of these school bonds?
Approximately $11,535,000.
10) What will the money be used for?
To defray the costs of construction, equipping and furnishing some new classrooms; remodeling, equipping and furnishing additions to, and remodeling, improving, and furnishing existing school classrooms and parking areas.
11) How will this bond election affect my property taxes?
Property taxes will increase between $2.80 and $4.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation depending on the valuation of the property in the district at th time the bonds are sold. Because agriculture property, residential property and commercial property are taxed differently, the exact amount of property tax will be different.
12) How much debt does the school district have now?
Zero (0).
13) When was the last time the school distrcit borrowed money for a building project?
In June of 1989 the voters of the Montezuma School District approved the borrowing of $1.5 million for an addition to the elementary school.
14) What is the tax levy rate of the Montezuma School District for the 2010-11 school year and how does this compare with our neighbors? (Stated in dollars per thousand of assessed valuation).
$11.17 - Montezuma
$13.70 - BGM
$15.67 - Grinnell
$12.83 - Lynnville-Sully
$13.98 - North Mahaska
$14.99 - English Valleys
15) How is the One Cent Sales Tax going to be used for this project?
The school district will borrow against future proceeds of the One Cent Sales Tax to generate approximately $3.63 million to be used for the project.
16) For as much money as we are talking about spending on this project, why don't we just build a new building?
The short answer is we can't afford to build an entirely new building. Our current building is approximately 100,000 square feet in size. New construction is estimated at $225 per square foot. A new building of the same size as we have now would cost at least $22.5 million. Currently, our total bonding capacity (maxium debt allowed by law) is approximately $19.4 million.
17) With so much concern and news about the lack of funding or schools, how can we afford to be building?
A schools budget is broken up into several "pots" of money. Salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and materials are funded through General Fund. The General Fund has been most affected by recent cuts in state aid by the Iowa Legislature.
While General Fund money can be used for construction, it is much more common for a school to use (and/or borrow against) its One Cent Sales Tax proceeds and/or to ask the voters to approve debt through the issuing of bonds.
The debt bonds are then reapid with the additional property tax collected to a school does not have to use General Fund money to make the payments.
18) Do we need to renovate our building if our enrollment is dropping?
Year - Enrollment
2006 - 514
2007 - 485
2008 - 487
2009 - 539
2010 - 506
Predicting the future of our enrollment is dependent on many factors. Looking a the next 10 years, it is estimated that we will maintain our current 35 to 40 students per grade level. Economic growth in our community could enhance our enrollment. Often times the quality of the school plays a key role in decisions by busineses and famlies to locate or remain in a community.
19) Are our students at Montezuma Schools performing academically as well as they should be?
Montezuma students perform well on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for students in grades 4-8 and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) for students in grades 9-11 when compared to the state average. The following information comes from the Iowa Dept. of Education's School Profile website at http://www.iowaschoolprofiles.com/.
For 2006-08, some 88.68 percent of students in the 4th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 78.87 percent proficient.
For 2006-08, some 86.79 percent of students in the 4th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 80.78 percent.
For 2006-08, some 73.33 percent of students in the 8th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 72.53 percent.
For 2006-08, some 77.72 percent of students in the 8th grade are proficient in math as compared with the state average of 76.09 percent.
For 2006-08, some 76.74 percent of students in the 11th grade are proficient in reading, as compared with the state average of 77 percent.
For 2006-08, some 81.61 percent of students in the 11th grade are proficient in math, as compared with the state average of 78.36 percent.
For the 2007 school year, Montezuma Schools reported a graduation rate of 96.55 percent, compared with the state average of 90.49 pereent.
20) What is the breakdown of the costs of these projects?
These are in general terms, with costs estimated on Jan. 21, 2010:
Site utilities - $50,000
Construction costs - $13,292,000
Fixtures, furnisture and equipment - $187,000
Contingency allowances - $1,703,000
Project development - $1,782,000
Total estimated budget - $17,014,000.
The following cost estimates are projections and do not reflect the total cost of the project. costs do not include the cost of hazardous materials abatement, contingency allowances and project development expenses and fees.
Phase One - Elementary/Junior High
Phase Two - Elementary/Junior High
Phase Three - High School
Roofing replacement - One - $142,500. Two - $123,800
Remodeling, mechanical - One - $798,000. Two - $693,000. Three - $1,152,200.
Remodeling, plumbing - One - $285,000. Two - $247,500. Three - $411,500.
Remodeling - FP - One - $114,000. Two - $99,000. Three - $164,600.
Remodeling, electrical - One - $342,000. Two - $297,000. Three - $493,800.
Communication/security - One - $26,600. Two - $35,200. Three - $21,900.
Technology infrastructure - One - $17,700. Two - $23,500. Three - $14,600.
Elementary classroom furniture - One - $62,000.
Junior high classroom furniture - Two - $40,000.
High school classroom furniture - Three - $85,000.
South parking lot - One - $144,000.
North parking lot - Three - $160,000.
Demolition - One - $126,000. Two - $49,500. Three - $90,000.
New mechanical room - One - $1,200,000.
8 replacement classrooms (not additional rooms, but to replace rooms lost in the remodeling) - Two - $1,851,000.
Weight/fitness room - Three - $315,000.
Remodel elementary rooms - One - $774,000.
Renovate elementary school west wall - One - $105,000.
Renovate elementary exterior - One - $142,500.
Remodel junior high rooms - Two - $495,000.
Remodel junior high stairs and elevator - Two - $150,000.
Remodel junior high restrooms - Two - $105,000.
Renovate junior high exterior - Two - $123,800.
Remodel high school rooms - Three - $1,055,000.
Remodel high school locker rooms - Three - $462,000.
Remodel high school restrooms - Three -$65,000.
Remodel high school gym - Three - $170,000.
Renovate high school exterior - Three - $205,800.
SUB-TOTALS
Phase One - $4,279,300.
Phase Two - $4,333,300.
Phase Three - $4,866,400.
21) The estimated budget of $17,014,000 for the project is more money than the $15,000,000 that will be raised for the project through the bond election - $11,500,000 and borrowing against our sales tax - $3,600,000. Why is this?
We are estimating the costs used to plan the project are 10 to 15 percent higher than they will be when bid. Alternate bids on some aspects of the project will also be used to lower costs if necessary and some things may have to be cut out if bids are higher than anticipated and the total cost of the project is more than can be afforded.
22) How long will construction and/or remodeling take?
Approximately two-and-one-half years. The work will be done in phases, so some parts of the building will be completed before others. If construction starts in the spring of 2011, the project will be totally completed by December of 2012.
23) Because of the economy, is this a good time to have a bond election?
From the school district's perspective this is an excellent time for a bond election. Interest rates are very low, thus less money will be spent on interest and more can be spent on the project. Construction companies are giving very competitive bids and it is estimated that the project could cost 10 to 15 percent less than estimated, thus allowing us to do more with the funds.
24) Why is this building project important to the community?
The school is a vital aspect of our community. The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students; be a pre-K through 12 school for many years to come; and be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. It is time to make a financial investment in the physical building that will last for many years to come.
25) Where can I see pictures of the need for this project and get other information about the plans?
a). Go to the school's website at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
b). Click on the 'bond issue' button on the top of the page and there will be several information items to look over.
Voters tour school, ask questions
This article (and the photographs) was written by Montezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:
With stains above and below, the high school library isn't
a most attractive room.
Voters tour school, ask questions
July 22, 2010
There was and is a concern about costs.
There were some questions about how the Montezuma Community Schools building got into the condition it is today.
"But the consensus seemed to be, 'yes, we need to do it,'" said schools superintendent Dave Versteeg Wednesday night at a meeting of the Support Montezuma Campaign.
The meeting came at the conclusion of two hours of tours of the buildings conducted by Versteeg and junior high/high school principal Brian Moretz. An estimated 55 people went on the tours.
The school is asking voters to approve $11.5 million in general obligation bonds on Sept. 14 to do extensive remodeling of the building.
There were some rumors circulating - one was that the geo-thermal plan to heat and cool the building would be 50 percent of the cost. (It's closer to 10 percent).
There were questions as to why the building needed to be air conditioned.
There were questions about why the junior high's upstairs hallway needed to be made straight.
School officials didn't duck any questions. If they didn't know an answer, they asked someone in their group to write down the question and promised to get back to the questioner.
Those on tour experienced how warm interior classrooms without windows can get. Room temperature Wednesday night was 84 degrees. School is called off when those temperatures reach 90. People were sweating.
People saw cracks in closets, chipped paint around leaky windows, multi-colored tiles in hallways (because the original design is no longer available).
The tour descended deep into the junior high basement to the boiler room. A Kewanee boiler, which appeared to be in mint condition, is still functioning - about 50 years beyond its expected life. Kewanee ceased production in 2002, although parts are still available from a company in Pennsylvania. Still, if it breaks down, it will cause a problem.
The clock system in the high school doesn't work, although some individual clocks do, if powered by batteries. There is no voice mail. The bell system doesn't work.
Companies that provided those services are no longer around. Versteeg explained that the school district can't simply contract with local firms that appear to have excellent longevity prospects. The school is a public entity and must put items up for bid.
Those on tour visited the high school library, which Versteeg called, "a disgrace. When you're bringing prospective students and families through the school, this is a tough place to visit. Even our own people don't want to be in here."
The library is dark, and there are stains on the carpeting and on the ceiling.
Refreshments were provided at the end of the tours and people were free to remain to discuss various aspects of the bond issue.
No future tours are planned, although officials didn't rule out the possibility during the post-tour meeting. Versteeg also said he will conduct individual tours and to contact him for a time.
Dave Versteeg pointed out that clocks, bells and voice mail don't work.
A leaky window in the junior high.
Multi-colored tiles adorn hallways.
a most attractive room.
Voters tour school, ask questions
July 22, 2010
There was and is a concern about costs.
There were some questions about how the Montezuma Community Schools building got into the condition it is today.
"But the consensus seemed to be, 'yes, we need to do it,'" said schools superintendent Dave Versteeg Wednesday night at a meeting of the Support Montezuma Campaign.
The meeting came at the conclusion of two hours of tours of the buildings conducted by Versteeg and junior high/high school principal Brian Moretz. An estimated 55 people went on the tours.
The school is asking voters to approve $11.5 million in general obligation bonds on Sept. 14 to do extensive remodeling of the building.
There were some rumors circulating - one was that the geo-thermal plan to heat and cool the building would be 50 percent of the cost. (It's closer to 10 percent).
There were questions as to why the building needed to be air conditioned.
There were questions about why the junior high's upstairs hallway needed to be made straight.
School officials didn't duck any questions. If they didn't know an answer, they asked someone in their group to write down the question and promised to get back to the questioner.
Those on tour experienced how warm interior classrooms without windows can get. Room temperature Wednesday night was 84 degrees. School is called off when those temperatures reach 90. People were sweating.
People saw cracks in closets, chipped paint around leaky windows, multi-colored tiles in hallways (because the original design is no longer available).
The tour descended deep into the junior high basement to the boiler room. A Kewanee boiler, which appeared to be in mint condition, is still functioning - about 50 years beyond its expected life. Kewanee ceased production in 2002, although parts are still available from a company in Pennsylvania. Still, if it breaks down, it will cause a problem.
The clock system in the high school doesn't work, although some individual clocks do, if powered by batteries. There is no voice mail. The bell system doesn't work.
Companies that provided those services are no longer around. Versteeg explained that the school district can't simply contract with local firms that appear to have excellent longevity prospects. The school is a public entity and must put items up for bid.
Those on tour visited the high school library, which Versteeg called, "a disgrace. When you're bringing prospective students and families through the school, this is a tough place to visit. Even our own people don't want to be in here."
The library is dark, and there are stains on the carpeting and on the ceiling.
Refreshments were provided at the end of the tours and people were free to remain to discuss various aspects of the bond issue.
No future tours are planned, although officials didn't rule out the possibility during the post-tour meeting. Versteeg also said he will conduct individual tours and to contact him for a time.
A leaky window in the junior high.
Tax vote: A cost . .or an investment?
This article (and the photograph) was written by Mntezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:
Tax vote: A cost . .or an investment?
How much will the $11.5 million Montezuma school remodeling project cost you as an individual?
And would the project drive up the cost of educating our students to difficult-to-maintain levels?
An answer to the second question first, because it's simple. It comes from school superintendent Dave Versteeg, who says the cost to educate per pupil will not be impacted. He said that is because a district's indebtedness is kept separate from the cost of educating students when compiling the cost-per-pupil figures.
Versteeg notes that according to the the Iowa Association of School Boards web site, the fiscal year 2010 cost per pupil in Montezuma and neighboring districts was:
$5,768 for Montezuma;
$5,935 for North Mahaska;
$5,768 for Lynnville-Sully;
$5,783 for BGM;
$5,791 for Grinnell-Newburg.
The question of taxes is more involved. But the total tax rate won't double, or go up by one-third, as has been speculated by some in the community.
At a maximum increase of $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the school's asking, the increase on your total tax bill would be about 13 percent. While substantial, it's not a doubling, or a one-third increase.
Versteeg issued figures based on a property tax calculator on the school's web site. And, if you go to the school's web site and plug in your assessed valuation numbers, you can get a calculation of your cost increases. The web site is www.montezuma.k12.ia.us. Then, go across the top to the right to "bond issue," then on the screen that pops up, you'll find a line for the caluclator.
The estimate you will receive is the impact the proposed school increase would have on your total tax bill. If you need help with your own numbers, you can contact the assessor or auditor's office.
For residential property assesssed at $81,950, the increase on an annual basis would be $136, or 11.9 percent.
For residential property assessed at $107,880, the increase on an annual basis would be $185, or 13.6 percent.
For residential property assessed at $150,050, the increase on an annual basis would be $265, or 13.3 percent.
What about commercial property?
And what about agricultural property?
If the issue is passed, the increase would range between $2.80 and $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Let's start with the maximum possible: a $4.05 increase, then go to the minimum: $2.80.
Agricutural Property
Increase per acre: $3.44 a year. @$2.80: $2.38
Monthly - 29 cents an acre. @$2.80: 20 cents a month
Daily - Less than one cent per acre at $4.05 and at $2.80.
Commercial Property
Assessed valuation $10,000.
Increased cost per year: $40.50. @$2.80: $28.00.
Per month: $3.38. @$2.80: $2.33.
Per day: 11 cents. @$2.80:8 cents.
Assessed valuation $50,000.
Increased cost per year: $202.50. @$2.80: $140.00.
Per month: $16.88. @$2.80: $11.67.
Per day: 55 cents. @2.80: 38 cents.
Assessed valuation $100,000
Increased cost per year: $405.00. @$2.80: $280.00.
Per month: $33.75. @$2.80: 23.33.
Per day: $1.11. @2.80: 77 cents.
Assessed valuation $200,000
Increased cost per year: $810.00. @2.80: $560.00.
Per month: $67.50. @$2.80: $46.67.
Per day: $2.22. @2.80: $1.53.
Assessed valuation $1 million
Increased cost per year: $4,050.00. @$2.80: $2,800.00.
Per month: $337.50. @$2.80: $233.33.
Per day: $11.10. @$2.80: $7.67.
Residential Property
Assessed valuation $75,000
Increased cost per year: $122.84. @$2.80: $84.93.
Per month: $10.24. @$2.80: $2.33.
Per day: 34 cents. @$2.80: 23 cents.
Assessed valuation $100,000
Increased cost per year: $170.34. @$2.80: $117.77.
Per month: $14.20. @$2.80: $9.81.
Per day: 47 cents. @$2.80: 32 cents.
Assessed valuation: $150,000
Increased cost per year: $265.33. @$2.80: $183.44.
Per month: $22.11. @$2.80: $15.29.
Per day: 73 cents. @$2.80: 50 cents.
Assessed valuation: $200,000
Increased cost per year: $360.32. @$2.80: $249.11.
Per month: $30.03. @$2.80: $20.76.
Per day: 99 cents. @$2.80: 68 cents.
Assessed valuation: $400,000
Increased cost per year: $740.29. @$2.80: $511.81.
Per month: $61.69. @$2.80: $42.65.
Per day: $2.03. @$2.80: $1.40.
To break it down into even simpler terms, if you own a home assessed at $100,000, and the levy comes in at the maximum of $4.05, your daily increase would be 47 cents a day . . . less than what you might spend on a fresh cup of coffee.
To get up to a $1 a day increase, ($365 a year) you would have to own residential property assessed at $202,465.
"Our school boards, including this one, have been fiscally responsible," Versteeg said. "We have a very low per pupil cost and property tax rates compared to our neighbors."
"Our school building has to be competitive with neighboring schools in order to attract new families," Versteeg said. "New families are not only good for the school's enrollment, but good for the community in terms of business and so forth," he added.
Versteeg encouraged that residents look at the issue as "an investment in our community and in our own property values. It's time to say, 'yes.'"
OPINION: Vote 'Yes' to invest in Montezuma
Dear Editor:
Montezuma is actually one of the two least expensive places to educate a child compared to the following schools. The $11.5 million school bond issue will not directly affect the per pupil cost of educating students in Montezuma. The debt service a school district incurs is handled separately from the direct cost per pupil calculation. The Iowa Association of School Boards indicates that the Fiscal Year 2010 cost per pupil is as follows:
$5,768 - Montezuma
$5,791 - Grinnell-Newburg
$5,783 - BGM
$5,935 - North Mahaska
$5,768 - Lynnville-Sully
Further the current and previous Montezuma School District Board members have always been financially responsible to the utmost degree with the available monies. They have planned well and acted wisely.
While the Montezuma School District has experienced a decline in population over the past ten years, the trend has, at this time, reversed course. One way to continue this upward trend is to have a 21st century facility. Remodeling and updating is necessary to become compliant with state building codes and address the expectations of the community. If we do not move forward, people could choose to have their children educated in other districts.
The bond issue could, at the most, increase a residential property owner's taxes approximately 13 percent. While that does, as an initial statistic, sound like an extremely substantial increase, what matters at the end of the day is what it costs a given homeowner. At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 net of assessed value of, let's say a $100,000 home, a homeowner's cost is only 47 cents a day in a year. That's less than a can of pop or a cup of coffee!
Regarding a commercial property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value of a $100,000 commerical property, the net increase is $405.00 per year. That's only $1.11 per day!
Regarding an agricultural property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value, the net increase is only $3.43 per acre!
Prospective businesses and prospective employees of current businesses want to know that Montezuma has an advanced school of which they can be justifiably proud. While the graduation rates and success of graduates indicates such, the physical state of the facility does not. This plan will increase the opportunity for Montezuma to compete with other school districts and enhance economic development. We must (and we can) improve the facility to provide a 21st century education. Vote "Yes" to invest in Montezuma School and the Community.
Sandy Ross, Chair
Support M.O.N.T.E. Committee
Montezuma is actually one of the two least expensive places to educate a child compared to the following schools. The $11.5 million school bond issue will not directly affect the per pupil cost of educating students in Montezuma. The debt service a school district incurs is handled separately from the direct cost per pupil calculation. The Iowa Association of School Boards indicates that the Fiscal Year 2010 cost per pupil is as follows:
$5,768 - Montezuma
$5,791 - Grinnell-Newburg
$5,783 - BGM
$5,935 - North Mahaska
$5,768 - Lynnville-Sully
Further the current and previous Montezuma School District Board members have always been financially responsible to the utmost degree with the available monies. They have planned well and acted wisely.
While the Montezuma School District has experienced a decline in population over the past ten years, the trend has, at this time, reversed course. One way to continue this upward trend is to have a 21st century facility. Remodeling and updating is necessary to become compliant with state building codes and address the expectations of the community. If we do not move forward, people could choose to have their children educated in other districts.
The bond issue could, at the most, increase a residential property owner's taxes approximately 13 percent. While that does, as an initial statistic, sound like an extremely substantial increase, what matters at the end of the day is what it costs a given homeowner. At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 net of assessed value of, let's say a $100,000 home, a homeowner's cost is only 47 cents a day in a year. That's less than a can of pop or a cup of coffee!
Regarding a commercial property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value of a $100,000 commerical property, the net increase is $405.00 per year. That's only $1.11 per day!
Regarding an agricultural property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value, the net increase is only $3.43 per acre!
Prospective businesses and prospective employees of current businesses want to know that Montezuma has an advanced school of which they can be justifiably proud. While the graduation rates and success of graduates indicates such, the physical state of the facility does not. This plan will increase the opportunity for Montezuma to compete with other school districts and enhance economic development. We must (and we can) improve the facility to provide a 21st century education. Vote "Yes" to invest in Montezuma School and the Community.
Sandy Ross, Chair
Support M.O.N.T.E. Committee
Look at our schools and see . . . US!
This article can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:
Give Me a Brake
by Keith Brake
Look at our schools and see . . .US!
At what point does a rural community collectively decide whether to draw a line in that fertile Iowa soil to indicate: "The slide stops here . .from this day on, we go forward"?
We've reached a crossroads moment in our community's history.
The school needs a makeover.
Most probably will agree at some level with that.
But makeovers are expensive these days. That's a real issue. It's a tough call and it's one each individual voter will have to consider.
If you want to see the future, just look to the north. Rural Minnesota is gasping. It has been that way for at least a generation, since the emergence of the Twin Cities as a city-state, not acutely in need any longer of the vast lands that surround it.
Iowa breathes a little bit more easily, if only because the Des Moines metro isn't large enough (yet) to stand alone the way Minneapolis-St. Paul does. But it's growing. It's getting there.
I read an article on the Minnesota 20/20 website in which John Van Hecke, a Minnesota 2020 Fellow, articulates what has happened there.
He says agriculture is the financial backbone. But farming isn't what it was 100 years ago. Small towns that were ag service centers were vibrant and could be found every seven to 10 miles. They began forming in the 1870s and 1880s.
Over time, farms grew into larger operations. Technology relieved some of the labor-intensity. Farmers may farm roughly the same acreage today, but they don't need as much manual help.
It all means fewer families living around small towns. And, fewer in the small towns. Fewer people on the farm means less localized business opportunity in the farm services sector.
Ag business is alive and well, but it's more centered in regional clusters. There's employment there, too, including more of the kind that can pay a viable living wage.
In Minnesota, the author says, the state legislature has cut funding to education. That has led to community decline as school districts are forced to consolidate, sometimes with already merged districts, and close more school buildings.
"Small towns," he writes, "face a brutal downward spiral of contraction feeding upon contraction. A town's school is the measure of community fiscal health. Closing the school building irrevocably alters the town's identity."
He goes on, but he could have stopped right there. Identity. Autonomy as a community.
That's what this is about.
Do you think the Iowa Legislature will always vote to cut back spending on education or force expensive mandates on local districts? I'm not so sure.
It doesn't appear there is much we can do to control the federal government. But we can control us. And we can still make ourselves heard in Des Moines.
I'm not native to Iowa. I'm from a neighboring state. But I've always marveled - and scratched my head, really - at how voters in what should be a conservative farm state like this can sometimes change direction and vote for liberal candidates or ideas.
Maybe, just maybe, it means that Iowans aren't as stubborn as their neighbors. Maybe it has something to do with the 99 percent-plus literacy rate (achieved in their local schools!) It could be that Iowans have learned (in hometown schools) to change their minds, especially when it means preserving at least a portion of their lifestyle.
We are fortunate here to have school and community leadership that recognizes the role of the schools in community development.
Montezuma and its schools are joined at the hip.
What's good for students and families is also good for the community. Leadership in both the schools and the community have found their way to the same page regarding this topic in recent years.
Other materials I have studied reinforce my own belief that a sharp school system strengthens local identity and the sense of common purpose.
Good schools help to maintain or increase property values.
When citizens are actively engaged in the schools or the community, populations tend to remain anchored to the community. That's an area where Montezuma and its schools have both improved a lot in recent years. Engagement. Relationships. It's good for business. It's good, period.
We're fortunate to have a major employer here that is growing rapidly and seeks to attract executive talent to the community.
There is tremendous outdoor recreational opportunity here.
If you can't see Montezuma as an attractive place to live and raise a family - chances are you haven't had the need to go out and look around. From the perspective of someone looking for a place to land, this area offers a lot and has even more potential.
We have to grow, in a controlled, planned way. We must go forward, or we will go away, quietly, into the night. That is happening even now in much of rural Iowa. It doesn't have to happen here.
We cannot become again the agricultural hub we once were.
The days of multiple grocery stores and crowds three and four deep on Main Street on Saturday nights are gone and are not coming back. But, we will discover that the roads run both ways.
We can still provide a high level of service to agriculture.
We can be a drop-dead gorgeous residential community.
We can embrace and enhance our position as a little industrial powerhouse on the prairie.
We need to understand just what it is we are becoming . . . and then determine to be really good at it . . .the best!
And, whatever that is . .we will need good schools.
The destination? Don't worry about it! The journey is what's fun . . .and it's never-ending.
Give Me a Brake
by Keith Brake
At what point does a rural community collectively decide whether to draw a line in that fertile Iowa soil to indicate: "The slide stops here . .from this day on, we go forward"?
We've reached a crossroads moment in our community's history.
The school needs a makeover.
Most probably will agree at some level with that.
But makeovers are expensive these days. That's a real issue. It's a tough call and it's one each individual voter will have to consider.
If you want to see the future, just look to the north. Rural Minnesota is gasping. It has been that way for at least a generation, since the emergence of the Twin Cities as a city-state, not acutely in need any longer of the vast lands that surround it.
Iowa breathes a little bit more easily, if only because the Des Moines metro isn't large enough (yet) to stand alone the way Minneapolis-St. Paul does. But it's growing. It's getting there.
I read an article on the Minnesota 20/20 website in which John Van Hecke, a Minnesota 2020 Fellow, articulates what has happened there.
He says agriculture is the financial backbone. But farming isn't what it was 100 years ago. Small towns that were ag service centers were vibrant and could be found every seven to 10 miles. They began forming in the 1870s and 1880s.
Over time, farms grew into larger operations. Technology relieved some of the labor-intensity. Farmers may farm roughly the same acreage today, but they don't need as much manual help.
It all means fewer families living around small towns. And, fewer in the small towns. Fewer people on the farm means less localized business opportunity in the farm services sector.
Ag business is alive and well, but it's more centered in regional clusters. There's employment there, too, including more of the kind that can pay a viable living wage.
In Minnesota, the author says, the state legislature has cut funding to education. That has led to community decline as school districts are forced to consolidate, sometimes with already merged districts, and close more school buildings.
"Small towns," he writes, "face a brutal downward spiral of contraction feeding upon contraction. A town's school is the measure of community fiscal health. Closing the school building irrevocably alters the town's identity."
He goes on, but he could have stopped right there. Identity. Autonomy as a community.
That's what this is about.
Do you think the Iowa Legislature will always vote to cut back spending on education or force expensive mandates on local districts? I'm not so sure.
It doesn't appear there is much we can do to control the federal government. But we can control us. And we can still make ourselves heard in Des Moines.
I'm not native to Iowa. I'm from a neighboring state. But I've always marveled - and scratched my head, really - at how voters in what should be a conservative farm state like this can sometimes change direction and vote for liberal candidates or ideas.
Maybe, just maybe, it means that Iowans aren't as stubborn as their neighbors. Maybe it has something to do with the 99 percent-plus literacy rate (achieved in their local schools!) It could be that Iowans have learned (in hometown schools) to change their minds, especially when it means preserving at least a portion of their lifestyle.
We are fortunate here to have school and community leadership that recognizes the role of the schools in community development.
Montezuma and its schools are joined at the hip.
What's good for students and families is also good for the community. Leadership in both the schools and the community have found their way to the same page regarding this topic in recent years.
Other materials I have studied reinforce my own belief that a sharp school system strengthens local identity and the sense of common purpose.
Good schools help to maintain or increase property values.
When citizens are actively engaged in the schools or the community, populations tend to remain anchored to the community. That's an area where Montezuma and its schools have both improved a lot in recent years. Engagement. Relationships. It's good for business. It's good, period.
We're fortunate to have a major employer here that is growing rapidly and seeks to attract executive talent to the community.
There is tremendous outdoor recreational opportunity here.
If you can't see Montezuma as an attractive place to live and raise a family - chances are you haven't had the need to go out and look around. From the perspective of someone looking for a place to land, this area offers a lot and has even more potential.
We have to grow, in a controlled, planned way. We must go forward, or we will go away, quietly, into the night. That is happening even now in much of rural Iowa. It doesn't have to happen here.
We cannot become again the agricultural hub we once were.
The days of multiple grocery stores and crowds three and four deep on Main Street on Saturday nights are gone and are not coming back. But, we will discover that the roads run both ways.
We can still provide a high level of service to agriculture.
We can be a drop-dead gorgeous residential community.
We can embrace and enhance our position as a little industrial powerhouse on the prairie.
We need to understand just what it is we are becoming . . . and then determine to be really good at it . . .the best!
And, whatever that is . .we will need good schools.
The destination? Don't worry about it! The journey is what's fun . . .and it's never-ending.
OPINION: Clearing up bond issue misconceptions
Dear Editor:
I have recently overheard some misconceptions regarding the School Bond Issue and I would appreciate the opportunity to "clear the muddied waters."
First, the bond issue is a 20-year bond, therefore, it must be paid for in 20 years, not the preposterous 50 years that I have overheard.
Second, the construction that occurred in the late 1980s is a 20-year-old band-aid that was used to come to par by creating an elementary library, a real cafeteria, and a few classrooms.
Third, there are many more computers in the school now and they give off an unbelievable amount of heat. Since it is not realistic to remove computers from academia, we must choose to either purchase new computers more frequently, or we can install air conditioning which will create an environment in which the computers will last longer, the teachers will be better able to teach, and most importantly, the students will be better able to learn. The latter option is the better choice. We must graduate students who know what they need to know when they go to the work force, trade school, college, or the military.
Fourth, the projects associated with the bond issue are necessary for Montezuma to compete not only academically, but also as a community. Business owners and leaders that are looking to move to an area realize that they must have an academically-strong, community-supported school system or they cannot draw in the best employees to work at their companies.
Fifth, we can insure ourselves against a forced consolidation situation on a couple of points:
- We will have a facility in which parents would be less likely to open-enroll their children to neighboring school districts because it will be completely ADA compliant, aesthetically pleasing, physically safe and environmentally conducive to learning. Therefore, we will sustain (hopefully increase) pupil population.
- The community will support the school and its needs because we will have a facility in which we can be proud. As I walk through the halls, classrooms and behind-the-scenes areas now, I am reminded of the Broken Window Theory - that is that broken windows, weed-infested sidewalks, broken floor tiles, stained ceiling tiles, tired doors and jambs, an antique heating system and no air conditioning leads people and students to become apathetic. Apathy has never been a characteristic with which Montezuma has been associated with an it does not need to start now!
Sixth, property values will increase when we remodel and update the facility because the community and prospective community members will determine that the facility is very conducive to learning, that the students will be given every opportunity to be fully prepared for their future endeavors, thus creating demand for housing within the district.
Vote "Yes" to invest int he Montezuma Community School District and the community.
Respectfully,
Aaron McCaslen
I have recently overheard some misconceptions regarding the School Bond Issue and I would appreciate the opportunity to "clear the muddied waters."
First, the bond issue is a 20-year bond, therefore, it must be paid for in 20 years, not the preposterous 50 years that I have overheard.
Second, the construction that occurred in the late 1980s is a 20-year-old band-aid that was used to come to par by creating an elementary library, a real cafeteria, and a few classrooms.
Third, there are many more computers in the school now and they give off an unbelievable amount of heat. Since it is not realistic to remove computers from academia, we must choose to either purchase new computers more frequently, or we can install air conditioning which will create an environment in which the computers will last longer, the teachers will be better able to teach, and most importantly, the students will be better able to learn. The latter option is the better choice. We must graduate students who know what they need to know when they go to the work force, trade school, college, or the military.
Fourth, the projects associated with the bond issue are necessary for Montezuma to compete not only academically, but also as a community. Business owners and leaders that are looking to move to an area realize that they must have an academically-strong, community-supported school system or they cannot draw in the best employees to work at their companies.
Fifth, we can insure ourselves against a forced consolidation situation on a couple of points:
- We will have a facility in which parents would be less likely to open-enroll their children to neighboring school districts because it will be completely ADA compliant, aesthetically pleasing, physically safe and environmentally conducive to learning. Therefore, we will sustain (hopefully increase) pupil population.
- The community will support the school and its needs because we will have a facility in which we can be proud. As I walk through the halls, classrooms and behind-the-scenes areas now, I am reminded of the Broken Window Theory - that is that broken windows, weed-infested sidewalks, broken floor tiles, stained ceiling tiles, tired doors and jambs, an antique heating system and no air conditioning leads people and students to become apathetic. Apathy has never been a characteristic with which Montezuma has been associated with an it does not need to start now!
Sixth, property values will increase when we remodel and update the facility because the community and prospective community members will determine that the facility is very conducive to learning, that the students will be given every opportunity to be fully prepared for their future endeavors, thus creating demand for housing within the district.
Vote "Yes" to invest int he Montezuma Community School District and the community.
Respectfully,
Aaron McCaslen
How much will bond issue cost ME?
How much will bond issue cost ME?
Here is the most frequently-asked question so far about the Montezuma school bond issue, and the answer from the Support M.O.N.T.E. Committee:
How do I find the assessed value of my property so that I can determine how this bond election will affect me?
1) Go to: www.poweshiekcounty.org/assessor1.htm
2) Scroll down and click on the button that says "Geographic Information Systems MAPS".
3) A new window will pop up. In the first pulldown menu, choose "Iowa". In the second pulldown menu, choose "Poweshiek County, IA". Click on the box next to "I agree to the above terms and conditions."
4) The window will refresh. Make sure the circle next to "Property Search" is blue. If not, click on the circle to make it turn blue and clock on the "Enter" button.
5) Type your lst name in the "Name" line and "Enter". Click on the "Parcel ID" that corresponds with the property(ies) in your name. Scroll down to the "valuation" section to find the "Net Assessed Value" of your property.
6) You can then use the assessed value to determine the potential change in your property taxes.
7) Go to http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/ and click on "Bond Issue" in the upper right corner.
8) Click on "Montezuma Property Tax Calculator". A new window will pop up. Click on "Open". A Microsoft Excel worksheet will open. Adjust the values in the yellow boxes to determine how this bond issue will affect you.
This article was written by Montezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/.
Here is the most frequently-asked question so far about the Montezuma school bond issue, and the answer from the Support M.O.N.T.E. Committee:
How do I find the assessed value of my property so that I can determine how this bond election will affect me?
1) Go to: www.poweshiekcounty.org/assessor1.htm
2) Scroll down and click on the button that says "Geographic Information Systems MAPS".
3) A new window will pop up. In the first pulldown menu, choose "Iowa". In the second pulldown menu, choose "Poweshiek County, IA". Click on the box next to "I agree to the above terms and conditions."
4) The window will refresh. Make sure the circle next to "Property Search" is blue. If not, click on the circle to make it turn blue and clock on the "Enter" button.
5) Type your lst name in the "Name" line and "Enter". Click on the "Parcel ID" that corresponds with the property(ies) in your name. Scroll down to the "valuation" section to find the "Net Assessed Value" of your property.
6) You can then use the assessed value to determine the potential change in your property taxes.
7) Go to http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/ and click on "Bond Issue" in the upper right corner.
8) Click on "Montezuma Property Tax Calculator". A new window will pop up. Click on "Open". A Microsoft Excel worksheet will open. Adjust the values in the yellow boxes to determine how this bond issue will affect you.
This article was written by Montezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/.
Will our gym continue to be a beehive of community activity?
This article was written by Montezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:
Will our gym continue to be a beehive of community activity? Will it have an "M" in front
during future graduations?
Versteeg discusses $$ aspects of bond issue
Members of the Support M.O.N.T.E. team have been receiving a lot of input during their meetings with community residents about the Sept. 14 school bond election.
Superintendent Dave Versteeg has responsded, focusing on three areas that will be impacted by the result of the election: Financial, community and students.
We will examine financial aspects in this piece.
FINANCIAL POINTS
1) "First, there is a point of clarification," Versteeg said. "I have heard many of us say that property taxes will go up $4.05 (per $1,000 assessed valuation) to raise the $11.5 million needed for the project. That is not a known fact yet," he said. "The HIGHEST it can be is $4.05. It is going to be somewhere BETWEEN $2.80 and $4.05. We have used $4.05 as the highest (worst) case scenario. If we issued the bonds tomorrow we would probably get 3.5% interest and that would cause the average levy rate to increase by $3.62. Is is OK to use $4.05, (but illustrative purposes) but it will probably be lower."
2) "Approximately 40% or $6.8 million of the estimated costs of the current proposed plan is for infrastructure or the "guts" of the building, i.e. roofs, mechanical (including geothermal heating and cooling), plumbing, electrical, fire protection, communication and technology."
3) "If the doomsaysers are correct and we aren't going to have a school in 20 years (before the bonds are paid off), then we will all be in a different school district and still paying property taxes for a school that is not 'ours' AND the property taxes will be higher than we currently pay," Versteeg said.
"If would be better to vote 'yes' to make our school a place that can keep the students we have and possibly grow (if the community steps up with housing and other issues) and have more say on what happens instead of being reorganized with any of our neighbors. Bigger schools are not always better schools," Versteeg said. "Check the Frequently Asked Questions brochure for a tax rate comparison."
4) "Have you imagined what could happen to the value of your property if there wasn't a school in our community? You have eliminated a sector of potential buyers for your property and probably lowered the value of your property. BUT your taxes would be lower."
5) "To build a new, 100,000-square-foot building to replace our existing facilities would cost approximately $225 per square foot. That figures comes from Shive-Hattery. The proposed plan comes at a cost of about $155 per square foot. It is a sound, reasonable, responsible, etc., plan."
6) "This is the time to pay for this project," Versteeg said. "To wait will only increase the cost. We are in the beginning of an economic recovery and by the time this bond issue is passed and we really have to pay for it, things will be much better. But to wait will only increase the cost and the main reason people don't want to vote for it. For example. . .
a) "Interest rates: According to Piper Jaffray (they sell public bonds), 20-year general obligation bonds (like what we are going to sell) were recently sold for 3.5% interest. We probably won't get 3.5% interest because it is hard to imagine interest rates going any lower, but you never know these days. Here is a (chart) to explain why waiting could cost millions of dollars in interest alone:"
Interest rate - 3.5%. Average property tax rate increase $3.62/1,000 of assessed valuation. Interest paid over 20 years - $4,683,000.
Interest - 3.75%. Tax increase - $3.70. Interest paid - $5,050,000.
Interest - 4.0%. Tax increase - $3.78. Interest paid - $5,286,000.
Interest - 4.25%. Tax increase - $3.87. Interest paid - $5,694,000.
Interest - 4.5%. Tax increase - $3.95. Interest paid - $6,181,000.
Interest - 4.75%. Tax increase - $4.04. Interest paid - $6,955,000.
b) "Bids - project costs: The same arguments for interest rates applies to the costs of construction," Versteeg said. "Bids are currently coming in at 10% to 15% lower than architect estimates. Construction bids are currently very competitive. To wait will only increase the cost of construction and materials."
Will our gym continue to be a beehive of community activity? Will it have an "M" in front
during future graduations?
Versteeg discusses $$ aspects of bond issue
Members of the Support M.O.N.T.E. team have been receiving a lot of input during their meetings with community residents about the Sept. 14 school bond election.
Superintendent Dave Versteeg has responsded, focusing on three areas that will be impacted by the result of the election: Financial, community and students.
We will examine financial aspects in this piece.
FINANCIAL POINTS
1) "First, there is a point of clarification," Versteeg said. "I have heard many of us say that property taxes will go up $4.05 (per $1,000 assessed valuation) to raise the $11.5 million needed for the project. That is not a known fact yet," he said. "The HIGHEST it can be is $4.05. It is going to be somewhere BETWEEN $2.80 and $4.05. We have used $4.05 as the highest (worst) case scenario. If we issued the bonds tomorrow we would probably get 3.5% interest and that would cause the average levy rate to increase by $3.62. Is is OK to use $4.05, (but illustrative purposes) but it will probably be lower."
2) "Approximately 40% or $6.8 million of the estimated costs of the current proposed plan is for infrastructure or the "guts" of the building, i.e. roofs, mechanical (including geothermal heating and cooling), plumbing, electrical, fire protection, communication and technology."
3) "If the doomsaysers are correct and we aren't going to have a school in 20 years (before the bonds are paid off), then we will all be in a different school district and still paying property taxes for a school that is not 'ours' AND the property taxes will be higher than we currently pay," Versteeg said.
"If would be better to vote 'yes' to make our school a place that can keep the students we have and possibly grow (if the community steps up with housing and other issues) and have more say on what happens instead of being reorganized with any of our neighbors. Bigger schools are not always better schools," Versteeg said. "Check the Frequently Asked Questions brochure for a tax rate comparison."
4) "Have you imagined what could happen to the value of your property if there wasn't a school in our community? You have eliminated a sector of potential buyers for your property and probably lowered the value of your property. BUT your taxes would be lower."
5) "To build a new, 100,000-square-foot building to replace our existing facilities would cost approximately $225 per square foot. That figures comes from Shive-Hattery. The proposed plan comes at a cost of about $155 per square foot. It is a sound, reasonable, responsible, etc., plan."
6) "This is the time to pay for this project," Versteeg said. "To wait will only increase the cost. We are in the beginning of an economic recovery and by the time this bond issue is passed and we really have to pay for it, things will be much better. But to wait will only increase the cost and the main reason people don't want to vote for it. For example. . .
a) "Interest rates: According to Piper Jaffray (they sell public bonds), 20-year general obligation bonds (like what we are going to sell) were recently sold for 3.5% interest. We probably won't get 3.5% interest because it is hard to imagine interest rates going any lower, but you never know these days. Here is a (chart) to explain why waiting could cost millions of dollars in interest alone:"
Interest rate - 3.5%. Average property tax rate increase $3.62/1,000 of assessed valuation. Interest paid over 20 years - $4,683,000.
Interest - 3.75%. Tax increase - $3.70. Interest paid - $5,050,000.
Interest - 4.0%. Tax increase - $3.78. Interest paid - $5,286,000.
Interest - 4.25%. Tax increase - $3.87. Interest paid - $5,694,000.
Interest - 4.5%. Tax increase - $3.95. Interest paid - $6,181,000.
Interest - 4.75%. Tax increase - $4.04. Interest paid - $6,955,000.
b) "Bids - project costs: The same arguments for interest rates applies to the costs of construction," Versteeg said. "Bids are currently coming in at 10% to 15% lower than architect estimates. Construction bids are currently very competitive. To wait will only increase the cost of construction and materials."
How Important is our school to our community?
This article and accompanying photographs was written by Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:
How important is it to us that our school remain a unifying force at work in our Montezuma community?
Versteeg weighs in on what's at stake
Members of the Support M.O.N.T.E. team have been meeting with community residents about the Sept. 14 school bond election.
They have received plenty of input, which has been relayed to school superintendent Dave Versteeg.
Versteeg has responsded, focusing on three areas that will be impacted by the result of the election: Financial, community and students.
We will examine students and community in this piece.
STUDENTS
Versteeg says voter approval of this project will help our students in these ways:
- "Having a modern heating and cooling system will dramatically improve the learning environment in the building," Versteeg said.
- "Having a modern cooling system will allow students to attend more school as missed days and/or early-outs for heat will be eliminated."
- "Improvements to the fire and safety systems will make the building more secure in case of emergencies."
- "Having handicapped-accessible bathrooms will greatly aid several students each year."
- "Rooms will be better-equipped for the use of technology and other teaching strategies that will help students learn and grow."
- "Having a more modern building is impressive to new famlies and new staff," Versteeg said. "It would greatly help us in recruiting and retaining staff members and in talking to prospective students and famlies about why our school is great."
Do we still have a passion for our MONTEZUMA teams and activities?
COMMUNITY
- "Keith Brake had an excellent editorial recently on his website," Versteeg said. "Check it out."
- "The community-wide survey taken by Monte 2020 in May of 2009 is evidence that the community values the school and will support this project," Versteeg says. "Keeping a K-12 school in Montezuma was ranked number four by that survey," the superintendent said. "'Educational excellence' was ranked number five. And 'improve school facilities and buildings' was ranked number 10," he said.
- "The school is a vital aspect of our community," Versteeg said. "The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students. It needs to be a pre-K through12 school for many years to come. It needs to be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. It is time to make a financial investment in the physical building that will last for many years to come," Versteeg said.
- "Communities are very competitive with one another in this part of Iowa," Versteeg said. "Parents don't mind commuting for work. Many people in Montezuma commute to another community for work and many out-of-towners commute to Montezuma for work. People have many choices on where they live and work," the superintendent said. "To keep the current residents of Montezuma and have a chance of attracting more, we need to approve this facility plan for the school. The school is a vital part of our community's identity. Having a modern, up-to-date building has to be a vital part of keeping the Montezuma community vibrant and alive."
How important is it to us that our school remain a unifying force at work in our Montezuma community?
Versteeg weighs in on what's at stake
Members of the Support M.O.N.T.E. team have been meeting with community residents about the Sept. 14 school bond election.
They have received plenty of input, which has been relayed to school superintendent Dave Versteeg.
Versteeg has responsded, focusing on three areas that will be impacted by the result of the election: Financial, community and students.
We will examine students and community in this piece.
STUDENTS
Versteeg says voter approval of this project will help our students in these ways:
- "Having a modern heating and cooling system will dramatically improve the learning environment in the building," Versteeg said.
- "Having a modern cooling system will allow students to attend more school as missed days and/or early-outs for heat will be eliminated."
- "Improvements to the fire and safety systems will make the building more secure in case of emergencies."
- "Having handicapped-accessible bathrooms will greatly aid several students each year."
- "Rooms will be better-equipped for the use of technology and other teaching strategies that will help students learn and grow."
- "Having a more modern building is impressive to new famlies and new staff," Versteeg said. "It would greatly help us in recruiting and retaining staff members and in talking to prospective students and famlies about why our school is great."
Do we still have a passion for our MONTEZUMA teams and activities?
COMMUNITY
- "Keith Brake had an excellent editorial recently on his website," Versteeg said. "Check it out."
- "The community-wide survey taken by Monte 2020 in May of 2009 is evidence that the community values the school and will support this project," Versteeg says. "Keeping a K-12 school in Montezuma was ranked number four by that survey," the superintendent said. "'Educational excellence' was ranked number five. And 'improve school facilities and buildings' was ranked number 10," he said.
- "The school is a vital aspect of our community," Versteeg said. "The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students. It needs to be a pre-K through12 school for many years to come. It needs to be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. It is time to make a financial investment in the physical building that will last for many years to come," Versteeg said.
- "Communities are very competitive with one another in this part of Iowa," Versteeg said. "Parents don't mind commuting for work. Many people in Montezuma commute to another community for work and many out-of-towners commute to Montezuma for work. People have many choices on where they live and work," the superintendent said. "To keep the current residents of Montezuma and have a chance of attracting more, we need to approve this facility plan for the school. The school is a vital part of our community's identity. Having a modern, up-to-date building has to be a vital part of keeping the Montezuma community vibrant and alive."
School, Town Aren't Separate says Versteeg
This article was written by Keith Brake, and can be found at http://www.clowniniowa.com/:
School, town aren't separate: Versteeg
Aug. 24, 2010
On the one hand, there's the school.
On the other, there's the community.
Whoops, not any more, says Dave Versteeg.
"We're not separate entities," Montezuma's school superintendent told about 35 members of the Montezuma Lions Club on Monday evening, Aug. 23.
"The livelihood of the community is the school and the livelihood of the school is the community."
Versteeg had been asked to talk to the Lions about the school election on Sept. 14, in which voters will decide whether to approve $11.5 million in bonding to remodel the school.
Most Montezuma Lions members are well beyond child-bearing age. That kind of audience is sometimes not in favor of projects that will raise property tax bills. Versteeg opened the floor for questions after his talk, but other than queries about the necessity for some improvements and the cost, he encountered a mostly quiet audience.
Versteeg gave a history about how the board arrived at its decision to ask for the election.
"We're trying to be visionary about this," Versteeg said. "Our teachers are good. And it's not the education you or even I went through," he said. "We are charged now with getting kids into college."
"Our problem is the building and not all of it is bad," the superintendent said. "It's the guts of the 1928 building that are bad."
"We want to do this right and not have to come back during the next five to 20 years to do it again," said Versteeg.
"If there were no school here, you're still going to be in a school district," Versteeg said.
"But you would lose some control of that school. And all of our neighboring school districts have higher tax rates."
Versteeg said that with no school in town, "property tax rates will drop, but then your community isn't as marketable."
"People aren't going to live in a town just because their family lived here 40 years ago," Versteeg said. "It's a competitive environment."
"If you do lose your school, studies show it's a slow death for your town."
An audience member said he didn't believe there weren't enough specifics about the work proposed to be done, but Versteeg asked for specifiics and referred the questioner to a green flyer that lists costs. "It's about as specifiic as we felt we could get," the superintendent said.
Asked if architect's fees were figured in to the final cost estimates, Versteeg said they were. "They're five percent," he said.
"We have seven new teachers this year," Versteeg said. "All want to live here. Some couldn't find what they were looking for in housing, which is another area we need to get going on."
"We need families with kids," Versteeg said.
School, town aren't separate: Versteeg
Aug. 24, 2010
On the one hand, there's the school.
On the other, there's the community.
Whoops, not any more, says Dave Versteeg.
"We're not separate entities," Montezuma's school superintendent told about 35 members of the Montezuma Lions Club on Monday evening, Aug. 23.
"The livelihood of the community is the school and the livelihood of the school is the community."
Versteeg had been asked to talk to the Lions about the school election on Sept. 14, in which voters will decide whether to approve $11.5 million in bonding to remodel the school.
Most Montezuma Lions members are well beyond child-bearing age. That kind of audience is sometimes not in favor of projects that will raise property tax bills. Versteeg opened the floor for questions after his talk, but other than queries about the necessity for some improvements and the cost, he encountered a mostly quiet audience.
Versteeg gave a history about how the board arrived at its decision to ask for the election.
"We're trying to be visionary about this," Versteeg said. "Our teachers are good. And it's not the education you or even I went through," he said. "We are charged now with getting kids into college."
"Our problem is the building and not all of it is bad," the superintendent said. "It's the guts of the 1928 building that are bad."
"We want to do this right and not have to come back during the next five to 20 years to do it again," said Versteeg.
"If there were no school here, you're still going to be in a school district," Versteeg said.
"But you would lose some control of that school. And all of our neighboring school districts have higher tax rates."
Versteeg said that with no school in town, "property tax rates will drop, but then your community isn't as marketable."
"People aren't going to live in a town just because their family lived here 40 years ago," Versteeg said. "It's a competitive environment."
"If you do lose your school, studies show it's a slow death for your town."
An audience member said he didn't believe there weren't enough specifics about the work proposed to be done, but Versteeg asked for specifiics and referred the questioner to a green flyer that lists costs. "It's about as specifiic as we felt we could get," the superintendent said.
Asked if architect's fees were figured in to the final cost estimates, Versteeg said they were. "They're five percent," he said.
"We have seven new teachers this year," Versteeg said. "All want to live here. Some couldn't find what they were looking for in housing, which is another area we need to get going on."
"We need families with kids," Versteeg said.
TOUR OUR SCHOOL
School tour to be retraced on Local Channel 3
Aug. 25, 2010
People who missed the tour of the Montezuma Community School on July 21 can retrace the route of that event on an upcoming program on Local Channel 3.
About 55 persons attended the orginal event, but many more will have the opportunity via TV as the program will air 21 times between now and Sept. 10.
Here are the dates:
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 2-3
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 9-10
The recording will air at 10 a.m. and at 1 and 7 p.m. each day.
School superintendent Dave Versteeg and announcer Keith Brake and taper Zach Price from Local Channel 3 produced the program. It retraces the route followed at the open house tours on July 21 with one important addition: The junior high roof, where brickbats and sandbags have been helping to hold the roof in place for some years now, has been added to the tour.
Those brickbats and sandbags have done a good job. "We don't have any major leaks in the roof," Versteeg said. But there is a portion of the roof on the south end of the building where very strong winds sometimes penetrate and lift up the roofing in a bubbling fashion. There are no brickbats there - a good gust of wind and a bucking roof conceivably could send them airborne.
A new roof would be part of the remodeling proposed for the school in the bond election which will be held on Sept. 14.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Some New Frequently Asked Questions
What proposed changes in the building are related to fire/safety compliance and ADA compliance? New accessible restrooms, compliant stairways, new elevator, automatic sprinkler system, fire alarm system, some doors and closets, electrical service modifications, etc.
What are the costs associated with these changes? These costs have not been separated out from the general costs already provided earlier.
Why have we been able to not meet these compliances until now? Once remodeling begins in the building, we are required to bring the area of remodeling into compliance with all current codes and requirements.
Are all of these changes required? By whom? Where do I find this information? Yes .... by the International Building Code-2009 and the State of Iowa (Fire Marshal's Office)
What are the costs associated with these changes? These costs have not been separated out from the general costs already provided earlier.
Why have we been able to not meet these compliances until now? Once remodeling begins in the building, we are required to bring the area of remodeling into compliance with all current codes and requirements.
Are all of these changes required? By whom? Where do I find this information? Yes .... by the International Building Code-2009 and the State of Iowa (Fire Marshal's Office)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Facility Tours
A big thank you to all who took the time to come and tour your school. It was a hot and humid night, but many community members endured the elements to tour the school and find out why this bond election has been requested. We hope you got your questions answered. Thanks again!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
COME TOUR YOUR SCHOOL. Building tours of the Montezuma Community School building will be conducted Wednesday night, July 21 at 5:30 p.m. Last tour will begin at 7:30 p.m. Come anytime! Meet at the JH Gym - bring your questions and explore the building. For more information go to http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/ and click on "Bond Issue" in the upper right corner. Support M.O.N.T.E. t-shirts will be available for sale. $10 each. Hope to see you there!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
FAQ: How do I find the assessed value of my property?
How do I find the assessed value of my property so that I can determine how this bond election will affect me?
Click here http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=135&LayerID=1603&PageTypeID=2&PageID=838
and type your last name in the "Name" line and "Enter." Click on the “Parcel ID” that corresponds with the property(ies) in your name. Scroll down to the “valuation” section to find the “Net Assessed Value” of your property.
You can then use the assessed value to determine the potential change in your property taxes. Go to http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/ and click on "Bond Issue" in the upper right corner. There is a property tax calculator for you to use. Note that there are three different calculators - one for residential, one for commercial and one for agricultural properties.
Click here http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?AppID=135&LayerID=1603&PageTypeID=2&PageID=838
and type your last name in the "Name" line and "Enter." Click on the “Parcel ID” that corresponds with the property(ies) in your name. Scroll down to the “valuation” section to find the “Net Assessed Value” of your property.
You can then use the assessed value to determine the potential change in your property taxes. Go to http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/ and click on "Bond Issue" in the upper right corner. There is a property tax calculator for you to use. Note that there are three different calculators - one for residential, one for commercial and one for agricultural properties.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Email us at rachellelkjohnson@gmail.com if you want one. Child sizes are available too. The image on the front will be smaller in the upper left corner.
Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about The Montezuma School District’s
2010 General Obligation Bond Election
1. When is the election?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
2. Where can I vote and what time are the polls open?
Voting will take place at the Montezuma City Library from 7am to 8 pm.
3. Why is the election on September 14th and not in November with the general election?
Schools can have elections four times per year. The general election in November is not one of the available dates.
4. Who can vote in this election?
Any eligible, registered resident of the Montezuma Community School District can vote.
5. How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote prior to the election at the Auditor’s Office in Montezuma. You can also register to vote on-line at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html
Or
You can register to vote on Election Day if you bring proof of residence and identity with you to the voting poll.
6. What if I live in the Montezuma School District but my children open enroll to a different school, can I still vote?
Yes. You are eligible to vote if you are a registered voter residing in the Montezuma School District.
7. Can I vote absentee?
Yes. Absentee ballots are available beginning August 5th at the Auditor’s Office in Montezuma or the request form is available on-line at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html
8. What percentage of “yes” votes is required for passage of the bond issue?
60%
9. On the sample ballot there are 2 questions that I have to vote on, why is this?
The 1st question asks whether you support the borrowing of the money by the school district; the 2nd question asks if you support the increase in property taxes. In order for the measure to pass both questions must have the required 60% voter approval rate.
10. How much money will be raised by the issuing of these school bonds?
Approximately $11,535,000.
11. What will the money be used for?
To defray the costs of constructing, equipping, and furnishing some new classrooms; remodeling,
equipping, and furnishing additions to the existing school building, and remodeling, improving,
and furnishing existing school classrooms and parking areas.
12. How will this bond election affect my property taxes?
Property taxes will increase between $2.80 and $4.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation depending on the valuation of property in the district at the time the bonds are sold. Because agricultural property, residential property and commercial property are taxed differently, the exact amount of property tax for each type of property will be different.
For a Property Tax Calculator, go to the school’s web page at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
Select the “Bond Issue” button from the banner at the top of the page. There you will find the property tax calculator listed.
13. How much debt does the school district currently have?
$0 (zero).
14. When was the last time the school district borrowed money for a building project?
In June of 1989 the votes of the Montezuma School District approved the borrowing of $1.5 million for an addition to the elementary school.
15. What is the tax rate of the Montezuma School District for the 2010-11 school year and how does this compare with our neighbors? (Stated in dollars per thousand)
16. How is the One Cent Sales Tax going to be used for this project?
The school district will borrow against future proceeds of the one cent sales tax to generate approximately $3.63 million to be used for the project.
17. For as much money as we are talking about spending on this project, why don’t we just build a new building?
The short answer is we can’t afford to build an entirely new building to replace the existing facility. Our current building is approximately 100,000 square feet in size. New construction is estimated at $225 per square foot. A new building of the same size as we have now would cost at least $22.5 million. Currently our total current bonding capacity (maximum debt allowed by law) is approximately $19.4 million.
18. With so much concern and news about the lack of funding for schools, how can we afford to be building right now?
A school’s budget is broken up into several “pots” of money. Salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and materials are funded through the General Fund. The General Fund has been most affected by recent cuts in state aid by the Legislature. While General Fund money can be used for construction, it is much more common for a school to use (and/or borrow against) its One Cent Sales Tax proceeds and or to ask the voters to approve debt through the issuing of bonds. The debt bonds are then repaid with the additional property tax collected so a school does not have to use General Fund money to make the payments.
19. Do we need to renovate our building if our enrollment is dropping?
Predicting the future of our enrollment is dependent upon many factors. Looking at the next ten years, it is estimated that we will maintain our current 35 to 40 students per grade level. Economic growth in our community could enhance our enrollment. Often the quality of the school plays a key role in decisions by businesses and families to locate or remain in a community.
20. Are our students at Montezuma Schools performing academically as well as they should be?
Montezuma students perform well on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for students in grades 4-8 and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) for students in grades 9-11 when compared to the state average. The following information comes from the Iowa Department of Education’s School Profile website at: http://www.iowaschoolprofiles.com/.
• For 2006-08 88.68 percent of Montezuma students in the 4th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 78.87 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 86.79 percent of Montezuma students in the 4th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 80.78 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 73.33 percent of Montezuma students in the 8th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 72.53 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 77.72 percent of Montezuma students in the 8th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 76.09 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 76.74 percent of Montezuma students in the 11th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 77 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 81.61 percent of Montezuma students in the 11th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 78.36 percent proficient.
• For the 2007 school year Montezuma Schools reported a graduation rate of 96.55 percent as compared to the state average of 90.49 percent.
21. What is the breakdown of the costs of the projects?
General estimates:
The following cost estimates are projections and not actual costs and do not reflect the total cost
of the project. Costs do not include the cost of hazardous materials abatement, contingency
allowances or project development expenses and fees.
22. The estimated budget of $17,014,000 for the project is more money than the $15,000,000 that will be raised for the project though the bond election ($11,500,000) and borrowing against our sales tax ($3,600,000). Why is this?
We are estimating that the costs used to plan the project are 10% to 15% higher than they will likely be when bid. Alternate bids on some aspects of the project will also be used to lower costs if necessary and some things may have to be cut out or deferred if bids are higher than anticipated and the total cost of the project is more than we can afford.
23. How long will construction and/or remodeling take?
Approximately 2 ½ years. The work will be done in phases so some parts of the building will be completed before others. If construction starts in the spring of 2011, the project will be totally completed by December 2012.
24. Because of the economy, is this a good time to have a bond election?
From the school district’s perspective, this is an excellent time for a bond election. Interest rates are very low, thus less money will be spent on interest and more can be spent on the project. Construction companies are giving very competitive bids and it is estimated that the project could cost 10% to 15% less than estimated thus allowing us to do more with the funds.
25. Why is this building project important to the community?
The school is a vital aspect of our community. The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students; be a pre-K through 12 school for many years to come; and be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. The Board feels it is time to make a financial investment our school’s physical building that will last for many years to come.
26. Where can I see pictures of the need for this project and get other information about the plans?
a. Go to the school’s web page at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
b. Click on the “Bond Issue” button on the top of the page and there will be several informational items to look over.
c. Check out Support M.O.N.T.E.’s blog @ http://www.supportmonte.blogspot.com/
d. Check out Support M.O.N.T.E.’s Facebook page @ “Support M.O.N.T.E.”
about The Montezuma School District’s
2010 General Obligation Bond Election
1. When is the election?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
2. Where can I vote and what time are the polls open?
Voting will take place at the Montezuma City Library from 7am to 8 pm.
3. Why is the election on September 14th and not in November with the general election?
Schools can have elections four times per year. The general election in November is not one of the available dates.
4. Who can vote in this election?
Any eligible, registered resident of the Montezuma Community School District can vote.
5. How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote prior to the election at the Auditor’s Office in Montezuma. You can also register to vote on-line at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html
Or
You can register to vote on Election Day if you bring proof of residence and identity with you to the voting poll.
6. What if I live in the Montezuma School District but my children open enroll to a different school, can I still vote?
Yes. You are eligible to vote if you are a registered voter residing in the Montezuma School District.
7. Can I vote absentee?
Yes. Absentee ballots are available beginning August 5th at the Auditor’s Office in Montezuma or the request form is available on-line at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html
8. What percentage of “yes” votes is required for passage of the bond issue?
60%
9. On the sample ballot there are 2 questions that I have to vote on, why is this?
The 1st question asks whether you support the borrowing of the money by the school district; the 2nd question asks if you support the increase in property taxes. In order for the measure to pass both questions must have the required 60% voter approval rate.
10. How much money will be raised by the issuing of these school bonds?
Approximately $11,535,000.
11. What will the money be used for?
To defray the costs of constructing, equipping, and furnishing some new classrooms; remodeling,
equipping, and furnishing additions to the existing school building, and remodeling, improving,
and furnishing existing school classrooms and parking areas.
12. How will this bond election affect my property taxes?
Property taxes will increase between $2.80 and $4.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation depending on the valuation of property in the district at the time the bonds are sold. Because agricultural property, residential property and commercial property are taxed differently, the exact amount of property tax for each type of property will be different.
For a Property Tax Calculator, go to the school’s web page at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
Select the “Bond Issue” button from the banner at the top of the page. There you will find the property tax calculator listed.
13. How much debt does the school district currently have?
$0 (zero).
14. When was the last time the school district borrowed money for a building project?
In June of 1989 the votes of the Montezuma School District approved the borrowing of $1.5 million for an addition to the elementary school.
15. What is the tax rate of the Montezuma School District for the 2010-11 school year and how does this compare with our neighbors? (Stated in dollars per thousand)
16. How is the One Cent Sales Tax going to be used for this project?
The school district will borrow against future proceeds of the one cent sales tax to generate approximately $3.63 million to be used for the project.
17. For as much money as we are talking about spending on this project, why don’t we just build a new building?
The short answer is we can’t afford to build an entirely new building to replace the existing facility. Our current building is approximately 100,000 square feet in size. New construction is estimated at $225 per square foot. A new building of the same size as we have now would cost at least $22.5 million. Currently our total current bonding capacity (maximum debt allowed by law) is approximately $19.4 million.
18. With so much concern and news about the lack of funding for schools, how can we afford to be building right now?
A school’s budget is broken up into several “pots” of money. Salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and materials are funded through the General Fund. The General Fund has been most affected by recent cuts in state aid by the Legislature. While General Fund money can be used for construction, it is much more common for a school to use (and/or borrow against) its One Cent Sales Tax proceeds and or to ask the voters to approve debt through the issuing of bonds. The debt bonds are then repaid with the additional property tax collected so a school does not have to use General Fund money to make the payments.
19. Do we need to renovate our building if our enrollment is dropping?
20. Are our students at Montezuma Schools performing academically as well as they should be?
Montezuma students perform well on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for students in grades 4-8 and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) for students in grades 9-11 when compared to the state average. The following information comes from the Iowa Department of Education’s School Profile website at: http://www.iowaschoolprofiles.com/.
• For 2006-08 88.68 percent of Montezuma students in the 4th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 78.87 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 86.79 percent of Montezuma students in the 4th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 80.78 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 73.33 percent of Montezuma students in the 8th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 72.53 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 77.72 percent of Montezuma students in the 8th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 76.09 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 76.74 percent of Montezuma students in the 11th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 77 percent proficient.
• For 2006-08 81.61 percent of Montezuma students in the 11th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 78.36 percent proficient.
• For the 2007 school year Montezuma Schools reported a graduation rate of 96.55 percent as compared to the state average of 90.49 percent.
21. What is the breakdown of the costs of the projects?
General estimates:
of the project. Costs do not include the cost of hazardous materials abatement, contingency
allowances or project development expenses and fees.
22. The estimated budget of $17,014,000 for the project is more money than the $15,000,000 that will be raised for the project though the bond election ($11,500,000) and borrowing against our sales tax ($3,600,000). Why is this?
We are estimating that the costs used to plan the project are 10% to 15% higher than they will likely be when bid. Alternate bids on some aspects of the project will also be used to lower costs if necessary and some things may have to be cut out or deferred if bids are higher than anticipated and the total cost of the project is more than we can afford.
23. How long will construction and/or remodeling take?
Approximately 2 ½ years. The work will be done in phases so some parts of the building will be completed before others. If construction starts in the spring of 2011, the project will be totally completed by December 2012.
24. Because of the economy, is this a good time to have a bond election?
From the school district’s perspective, this is an excellent time for a bond election. Interest rates are very low, thus less money will be spent on interest and more can be spent on the project. Construction companies are giving very competitive bids and it is estimated that the project could cost 10% to 15% less than estimated thus allowing us to do more with the funds.
25. Why is this building project important to the community?
The school is a vital aspect of our community. The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students; be a pre-K through 12 school for many years to come; and be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. The Board feels it is time to make a financial investment our school’s physical building that will last for many years to come.
26. Where can I see pictures of the need for this project and get other information about the plans?
a. Go to the school’s web page at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
b. Click on the “Bond Issue” button on the top of the page and there will be several informational items to look over.
c. Check out Support M.O.N.T.E.’s blog @ http://www.supportmonte.blogspot.com/
d. Check out Support M.O.N.T.E.’s Facebook page @ “Support M.O.N.T.E.”
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