Absentee Voting

February 4, 2014 is quickly approaching.  If you are unsure that you will be able to vote that day, consider voting via absentee ballot.  The following link will take you to the absentee ballot request form.  Contact your county auditor if you have any questions.

Johnson County:  Travis Weipert, 319-356-6004

NOTE:  All absentee ballot requests go through the Johnson County Auditor's Office for this election.

Absentee Ballot Request Form

Proposed Site for an Elementary School

A purchase agreement was approved by the CCA Board of Education on the evening of 11-13-13 for the parcel of land outlined in read in the picture below.  Approximately 55 acres of land, pending voter approval of the bond on February 4, 2014.  

Bond / Facilities Information

The following presentation is from the public meetings on November 12 and 14.  Below the video you will find links to tax calculators for Iowa and Johnson Counties.  You can enter the appropriate valuations for your property and see the cost of the new bond to you.  Please keep in mind that the district can offset the potential $0.17/$1,000 increase by reducing the management levy.  Thereby maintaining the overall school tax rate.

Iowa County Tax Calculator:  Here

Johnson County Tax Calculator:  Here

Facilities/Bond FAQ

Below is an initial FAQ regarding the upcoming Bond vote.  Please ask questions or share your thoughts by posting a comment on this post.  I will use the feedback to update the FAQ.

Sincerely,

Tim Kuehl

February 4, 2014 Bond Vote FAQ

1.    What is happening on February 4, 2014?

a.     Voters will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed $48 million Bond Referendum on February 4, 2014.

b.     The $48 million is an absolute maximum, which cannot be exceeded.

c.      CCA schools are limited to a total debt service levy of $4.05/$1000 valuation, as approved in the 2006 vote.  This levy rate limits total debt service revenues available to the district.  Our goal is to maximize the revenue available to meet the current needs of our students and provide flexibility as we continue to grow.  We strive to maintain and improve our students’ excellent educational opportunities while being responsible stewards of local tax revenue.

2.    How would Bond approval by the voters impact the tax rate at CCA?

a.     Currently the total property tax rate at CCA is $15.11/$1000.  The total debt service levy rate is currently $3.89/$1000.  A portion of the debt service levy expires this year, $1.75/$1000. Taking into account the continued increase in district valuation and the ability of the Board to manage other components of the levy rate, i.e. cash reserve levy and management levy, it is realistic to expect the total tax rate for CCA to remain stable.

b.     The CCA tax rate is very comparable to schools of a similar size.  Due to our growth we do have a higher debt service than most districts (Debt service is included in the overall rate). 

District	Overall Tax Rate
Benton	12.31
Center Point-Urbana	17.51
CCA	15.11
Independence	17.28
Marion	17.46
Vinton-Shellsburg	15.53
Williamsburg	14.15
Solon	16.00

3.    What buildings/updates are included in the Bond?

a.     A new elementary building will be constructed on the East side of the district.  The District is currently negotiating for land in the Tiffin area.  This elementary would be of a similar design and size to the current North Bend Elementary.  The new elementary will have a capacity of approximately 450 students.

b.     An addition to the Middle School will be designed to house approximately 500 students.  The plan is to complete that construction, then remodel the current middle school facility, including electrical, and HVAC (air conditioning) upgrades.  Ultimately 6^th graders will be in the current facility with 7^th and 8^th graders in the new addition.  Total instructional capacity of the middle school will be approximately 750 students.

c.      Additions to the High School will include the first of two academic wings and the addition of weight and wrestling rooms on the south side of the high school.  The current weight and wrestling rooms will be remodeled into a practice gymnasium, as was planned in the original design.  These additions will raise the instructional capacity of the high school to approximately 900 students.

d.     Updates to the electrical and HVAC (air conditioning) systems at Amana Elementary. 

e.     Elementary enrollment is projected to exceed the capacity of our three elementary buildings during the 15-16 school year.

4.    Where will the new elementary building be?

a.     The proposed elementary building will be located at the NE corner of Highway 6 and Jasper Avenue.

b.     How will that relieve overcrowding in CCE and NBE?  Elementary boundaries will be developed in order to relieve overcrowding in North Bend and Clear Creek Elementary buildings.  Boundaries will be established with the objective of balancing attendance, until the time when an additional elementary school is needed.

c.      Will the Amana Elementary building be utilized?  Yes, the Board has expressed their intention to keep a PK-5 Elementary at the site.  During the 14-15 school year the Amana Elementary will need to be utilized to relieve pressure at Clear Creek Elementary.

5.    Will this take care of CCA’s facilities needs for a long time?

a.     With the projected growth in the Tiffin, North Liberty, and Coralville areas we anticipate the need to add to our facilities again in the next 5-10 years. 

b.     It is likely that the district will ask for another bond vote in about 5 years.  This will likely be for the second round of academic additions at the high school and possibly an additional elementary building.

c.      As we approach 10 years in the future, we will need to be moving on a second middle school and how to handle an overcrowded high school.  Possibly adding a second high school.

d.     Updates and improvements to current buildings will be possible in the future, as well.

For more detailed information please see the blog:  timkuehlcca.blogspot.com.  Also, feel free to call Mr. Tim Kuehl at 319-828-4510, or email at timkuehl@ccaschools.org.

Clear Creek-Amana Schools Growth Requires More Space. By Chris Earl, Reporter

A story on CCA.  Link

October 16 Board Meeting

You can view the meeting here:  Regular Meeting 10-16-13

The Board accepted petitions, containing 437 signatures, requesting a Bond Vote be established.  The Board set the Bond Vote for February 4, 2014.

A series of informational meetings have been established for the month of November, all will begin at 7:00 pm.

November 7:  Amana Elementary
November 12:  Clear Creek Elementary
November 14:  CCA Middle School
November 25:  North Bend Elementary School

If any organization or community group would like a presentation they can request one by calling me at 319-828-4510, or emailing:  timkuehl@ccaschools.org.

Educationally yours,

Tim Kuehl

10-8-13 Informational Meeting

On Tuesday night we held the first informational meeting regarding facilities proposals.  You can watch the video here:  Video.

One question that was asked during the session related to how much current debt service levy was going off, on what dates.  If no additional debt services is added, it is projected that the debt service rate would drop by $1.74 in FY 15.  Current debt service would conclude with a projected rate of $1.30 in 2025-2026.

It is important to understand that the district debt service levy rate is capped at $4.05/$1000.  Any additional debt service the district is approved to levy must stay within the $4.05 rate.

The Presentation:

We will be holding several more informational meetings over the coming months.  If you have a group that would like a presentation, please contact me:  timkuehl@ccaschools.org, 319-828-4510.  We welcome the opportunity to share information with as many people as possible.

Sincerely,

Tim Kuehl
Superintendent

Facilities Moving Forward

At the work session last night the Board reached consensus on the scope of facilities work for a potential bond vote in February.

The Work:

• New Elementary Building: very similar design to the current North Bend Elementary, 3 pods, 2 preschool rooms, 4 kindergarten rooms.  Plan for an elementary sized gym.
• Purchase of land for the new elementary building.
• New MS Addition:  60,000 square foot addition on the west end of the current MS. Would have new cafeteria, library, and classroom space for 500 students.  Also, new locker rooms.
• MS Renovation:  Update HVAC system with the new addition.  Improve electrical system within the building to support increased technology usage.
• Amana Elementary:  Update HVAC system by ensuring that all classroom spaces are air conditioned.
• High School:  First academic addition will be constructed.  Current weight room and wrestling room areas will be converted to a second gym space.  New weight room and wrestling room will be added to the south.

The Cost:

• Bond language would establish a limit of $48 million total cost for all projects listed above.

Key Points:

• The need for additional facilities is driven by our growing enrollment.
• We can fund this work without raising the school tax rate.  This is due to increasing valuations, the district lowering our cash reserve levy, lowering our management fund rate, and retiring some current debt service.

There will be an informational meeting on October 8, 7:00 pm, in the high school cafeteria.  

I will be posting information on the blog and we will be hosting a number of informational meetings throughout the next few months.  The Board also anticipates announcing the building site for the elementary in the near future.

Sincerely,

Tim Kuehl

September 10 Vote

Reminder the polls are open until 8:00 pm this evening.  CCA residents may vote at their appropriate polling place:

Amana Elementary
Oxford City Hall
West Campus, between the Middle School and High School
North Bend Elementary
St. Peters Hall, Cosgrove.

A link to the map.

Preliminary Facilities Information

The CCA Board of Directors had a work session on Monday, August 19 and Wednesday August 21, with a regular meeting on the 21st.  Below is information that was shared with the Board prior to their approval for Shive Hattery to proceed with developing more detailed plans for a PK-5 Elementary Building and additions to and remodeling of the 6-8 Middle School.

Two important things to note: 1.  It is possible for CCA to pass up to a $50 million bond and maintain a steady tax rate.  2.  The CCA Board and administrative team are committed to maintaining all current attendance centers.

Dr. Rushton's projections have the district surpassing 3000 total students in the 2020-21 school year.  A growth of approximately 50% in the next 7 years.  Due to this rapid and sustained growth, plans the Board is working through call for the opening of the proposed PK-5 Elementary and addition to the Middle school in the fall of 2015.  Remodeling of the current Middle School structure would be completed for the fall of 2016.  The first of two additions to the High School would be anticipated in the fall of  2017.  Finally, it is anticipated that CCA would need to open another PK-5 Elementary and the second High School addition in the fall of 2021.  As you can see, there will be considerable planning and construction in order to ensure that CCA has the instructional space needed to meet the needs of our growing enrollment.

Currently the Board is discussing what projects could potentially be on a Bond vote in February of 2014.  Whatever the decision, CCA will almost certainly see multiple bond votes over the next several years.

These first two slides show enrollment by grade level, the first being the 12-13 school year and the second the current, 13-14 school year.  You can see evidence of CCA's growing enrollment through the larger class sizes at the lower grade levels.  

Grade Distribution Augst 21, 2013

The following slides show the North Liberty/Tiffin area, the first is in 2002, the second in 2012.  The development is apparent from the satellite view.

2002

2012

The following slides have students charted by grade level and residence during the 12-13 school year.  In the first slide all students are charted, in the second only 1st and 12th graders are charted.  

The following slide shows the projected population changes for the CCA District.  You can see that much of our district will be experiencing significant growth, which will be felt in our schools as increased enrollment.

Projected Population Change from the Iowa Census Bureau

The CCA District has been able to maintain a strong financial position.  For schools, students generate revenue and our growing enrollment has helped to increase the funds available to CCA.

Unspent balance can be thought of as the district's reserve or carryover.  Note that it gives us the legal authority to spend that amount, but a district does not necessarily have the cash behind that authority.

Solvency ratio is cash vs expenses.  CCA's strong solvency ratio is beneficial when seeking financing for bonds.  CCA enjoys a very strong bond rating, which generates lower interest rates.

Financial Data through FY 12

The following graph shows anticipated tax rates if CCA were to pass a $50 million bond in Febrary, 2014.  As you can see the rate would remain quite steady, to slightly declining.  This can be accomplished due to some current debt service coming off the books, increased valuation in the district, and a decrease in cash reserve levy amounts.  Note that the TIF on the area including Coral Ridge Mall expires in 2018.  That will significantly increase the overall valuation of CCA, resulting in a lower overall levy rate for the CCA Schools.

Historical and Project Levy Rates

September 10 Vote

The school election is on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. There are two important items relating to the CCA Schools. 

There are four spots open on the Board of Education: 

At Large: Eileen Schmidt 

District 2: Open-no candidates submitted to be on the ballot. 

District 3: Steve Swenka and Lisa Beckman 

District 4: Jim Seelman and Malinda Lamb 

Approval of the $0.67/$1000 Voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy is also on the ballot (This is unrelated to any future bond vote). These funds are used for repair and maintenance of buildings and grounds, purchase of buses, and purchase of technology for students. The current VPPL expires in 2015, voter approval would extend this levy an additional 10 years. 

You can find information on this topic, and other school related items on the district website, http://www.cca.k12.ia.us/, or at my blog: http://timkuehlcca.blogspot.com/. 

If you have any questions regarding these, or other CCA issues, please contact me, timkuehl@ccaschools.org, or 319-828-4510. 

Sincerely, 

Tim Kuehl 

Superintendent

News Story on CCA's Growth

Here's a nice story that KWWL ran on CCA and our growth. KWWL

Opening Presentation 2013

This is the presentation shared with staff on 8-16-13.  You can use the pause button to get more time to read each slide.

Election Press Release

Press Release

To:                  Johnson County Media

From:             Travis Weipert, Auditor

Date:              August 13, 2013

Subject:         Early Voting For September 10 School Election
Begins Wednesday, August 14

Early voting for the September 10 School Election begins Wednesday, August 14 at 7:45 a.m.

Voting will be available at the Auditor’s Office at 913 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, during business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays through Monday, September 9, the day before the election.

The office will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 2.  No satellite voting sites outside the Auditor’s Office are scheduled for this election.

Voting by mail is also available for this election.  Forms are on our website jcauditor.com.  Call 356-6004 for more information.