Linn-Mar Education Association recommends YES vote on local bond referendum

DES MOINES, IA (08/21/2018) (readMedia)-- The Linn-Mar Education Association (LMEA), representing education professionals employed in the Linn-Mar Community School District recommended a "YES" vote in the upcoming Bond Referendum to be held on Tuesday, September 11.

The Bond Referendum proposes an incremental increase up to $0.65 on property taxes. After the increase, the property tax rate is still nearly $1.50 less than after Linn-Mar's last successful bond vote.

One of the fastest growing districts in the state, the Linn-Mar Community School District is at 91 percent capacity. At the current projected enrollment increase of 2 to 3 percent each year, the school district will reach nearly 8,000 students by 2022-23. The district has outgrown and will continue to surpass its existing facilities. In order to accommodate current and future needs, the school board and district leadership outlined a restructuring plan that supports continued growth of the Lin-Mar Community Schools. The bond will support the plan by funding the construction of two intermediate buildings for grades 5 and 6 and restructuring to a new grade format - preK/K-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12 - for the 2020-21 school year.

"The bond will provide students with the space and facilities that are essential for learning and growth. As state lawmakers continue to starve public education, we must look to our own community to help fill in the gaps. The safety and well-being of every child who walks into our buildings is our number one priority and ensuring they have a healthy learning environment is paramount to their growth in our schools," said Erin Watts, president of the Linn-Mar Education Association.

The Linn-Mar Education Association is the exclusive bargaining representative for education professionals in the Linn-Mar Community School District. The LMEA is affiliated with the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) and the National Education Association (NEA).

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