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Q: How do I calculate the PERL impact on property taxes?
A: This PDF gives an overview and example of how PERL impacts property taxes.
Q: What is the tax impact on me if this levy is passed?
A: The tax impact per $1,000 valuation is $0.135; meaning for a home valued at $100,000, homeowners would pay $6.85 per year after the residential tax rollback OR $0.58/month for residential properties. As is the case with the majority of our school district levies in Saydel, the largest amount of money to support these programs will come from our healthy commercial and industrial base. Once approved, this amount is set for the life of the levy. The levy cannot excede $0.135.
Q: What are my school taxes and how do they compare to the surrounding areas?
A: Due to a large industrial and commercial tax base (62% of total tax base), Saydel residents have the lowest taxes in the Metro. In the 2015-2016 school year, our tax rate per $1,000 was $12.76. Each district bordering Saydel had a higher rate with average rate of $19.11.
Q: How will Saydel use the approximately $95,000 that PERL could bring to the District?
A: Annually, approximately 40% of the money will be used to staff and coordinate Community Education Program activities. This coordination will involve organizing/screening/training of volunteers, community outreach, and coordinating the logistics of offering expanded programs to the community. The remaining money will be used to enhance or create facilities used primarily for public use such as recreation fields/spaces owned by the District. Examples include, but are not limited to little league fields, tennis courts, and walking paths.
Q: How was this issue brought to the School Board?
A: This year, Saydel established a Board Committee called the Opportunities Committee. The mission of this committee is:
The Saydel Opportunities Committee exists to support students, staff and community through the identification of programs and opportunities that will engage all members of our community to enhance their learning and development.
This committee launched a petition for this levy with the purpose of providing public funds to achieve this mission for our community and students.
Q: How will PERL help create a Community Education Program?
A: Current funding sources do not allow for the use of public funds to support community-wide recreation efforts. PERL will allow for the creation of a self-sustaining Community Education Program for children and adults in Saydel Schools.
Q: How will the move to a Community Education Program enhance current youth programs?
A: It is the intent to invite these organizations to participate through community education as a method to ensure consistency in communication, training, accounting, logistics and promotion. Therefore, organizations such as Saydel Little League, Saydel Youth Wrestling and Saydel Youth Basketball will receive formal support from the school. Students participating in outside organizations such as Saydel Youth Football, and North Des Moines Girls Softball will receive support in their participation if they align with community education to enhance the identity of players as members of the Saydel community. Representatives from these groups currently participate as part of the opportunities committee and would have representation on the Board of the Community Education Program, once established.
Q: Who will the Community Education Program attempt to serve?
A: If established, the Community Education Board would receive input from the community and establish viable athletic, fine arts, and education opportunities for all community members. This will include opportunities that enhance the experience of students currently participating in school activities, creating and expanding access to programs for students in grades K-6, and creating of opportunities for adult community members.
Q: What types of programs can a Community Education Program bring for adults?
A: This would be based on input given to the Community Education Program Board, but the intent would be to provide access to District facilities such as our fitness facilities as well as club and adult education offerings based on interest.
Q: Will this provide a free Community Education Program?
A: The purpose of the levy is to establish a funding stream for coordination of programs and upgrades to district property primarily used outside of school hours by the community. This allows both the ability for some free public recreation opportunities and facility access for the community and the creation of a self-sustaining, organized and efficient Community Education Program charging appropriate participation fees.
Q: If passed, when will the funds be available?
A: If passed, the funds would not be levied until the 2017-18 school year; however, planning for the Community Education Program will begin immediately, including the creation of the Community Education Program Board and some limited offerings in the 2016-17 school year.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: You can visit www.saydel.k12.ia.us, follow the PERL link, or you can call the Saydel District Office, 515-264-0866.
Q: Who decides how the money is allocated?
A: The PERL money itself is allocated by the Saydel Board of Education. Once allocated to establish a community education program, the Community Education Board, made up of a representative sample of the community, annual appointment by the Board, will identify programming and budgeting of the community education program.
Q: Is this only for athletics?
A: The intent of PERL goes beyond expanding opportunities for athletics. While PERL will support and expand recreation opportunities in athletics, especially for younger children it will also bring the necessary structure to create fine arts opportunities that cannot currently be offered. Creation of fine arts opportunities for the community will be a strong focus of the Community Education Program.
Q: How are opportunities for younger children chosen?
A: The Saydel Board of Education and Community Education Program Board will take suggestions and examine feasibility. The community survey suggests looking into soccer, volleyball, youth drama, music lessons, and tennis.
Q: How are opportunities for adults chosen?
A: Community members bring suggestions to the Community Education Program Board. The Community Education Board then examines feasibility and acts upon requests. A recent community survey suggests looking into basic computing, adult athletics, and fine arts leagues and clubs. The use of school facilities is also a highly requested item.
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