The Morgan Everts Library in Clarion. Photo: Brandonrush, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows school board is set Thursday night to finalize plans for a March vote on renewing the district’s voter-approved facilities levy, and to consider an early resignation bonus for staff as enrollment slips and the town plans for the loss of its largest manufacturer.
The board meets at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the district office, 120 Central Ave. East in Clarion. The agenda lists “Finalization for March Voted PPEL election” and “Early Resignation Bonus” under new business, along with a resolution on the Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust and a discussion of a food service management company, RadioOnTheGo reported Wednesday.
What the levy pays for
PPEL stands for Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. Iowa lets school boards set a small version on their own, up to 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. A larger voted PPEL needs approval from district voters and can run up to $1.34 per $1,000 for as long as 10 years, according to the Iowa Department of Education.
The money is restricted. It can go toward land, new buildings, repairs and remodeling, energy work, student transportation equipment and equipment or technology purchases over $500, and a district can borrow against future levy revenue. It cannot pay salaries, supplies or travel.
CGD’s board began this renewal in August, when members unanimously approved preparations for a March 2027 election, RadioOnTheGo reported then. Iowa’s next special school election date is Tuesday, March 2, 2027. Thursday’s agenda does not list a proposed rate.
Facilities work has been steady this year. In September, buildings and grounds director Jeff Friesleben reported a new finish on the high school stage floor, a new roof over the wrestling room, added security lighting at the middle school and new playground fencing and mulch. The board has also moved ahead with a concession stand and restroom project at the ball diamonds.
Fewer students, early exits
The early resignation bonus and a batch of fiscal 2027 early retirement applications on the consent agenda come as the district’s enrollment drops. Superintendent Jared Carder told the board in September that preliminary enrollment was down about 35 students from a year earlier, RadioOnTheGo reported. Iowa funds schools largely per pupil, so a smaller enrollment means less state aid. The district’s official count was taken Oct. 1, with a second count scheduled for Jan. 15.
The board will also review its fiscal 2027 budget summary, the Oct. 31 cash report and negative balances in school nutrition accounts, and revisit an audit letter to the state School Budget Review Committee.
All of it sits against a bigger worry in town. John Deere announced this month that it plans to close the Hagie Manufacturing plant in Clarion by the end of 2029, and county officials are lining up retraining and job placement help for workers while looking for a buyer for the site, RadioOnTheGo and Radio Iowa reported.
Next steps
Activities Director Brad Kahler is scheduled to give an education report, followed by the superintendent’s report. Open forum comes early in the meeting, right after the agenda is approved.
The agenda also notes the Iowa Association of School Boards convention in Des Moines, Nov. 18-19. The board’s organizational and regular meeting is Thursday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m.
Jill Ostrander writes for Clarion News Online.