On Tuesday, March 2, voters in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District will have a chance to go to the polls. Voters will choose whether or not to adopt a new Revenue Purpose Statement.
Iowa law requires that each school district ask the voters to approve a “Revenue Purpose Statement” on the intended use of the statewide sales tax revenue. The ballot for Tuesday’s special election specifically notes, the proposition is “To adopt a Revenue Purpose Statement specifying the use of revenues the Clarion Goldfield-Dows Community School District will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund.”
The CGD Board of Education approved the statement at their January meeting. Now it is in the hands of voters. District officials have noted, though the current one does not expire until 2031, the district needs to have a new one in place to proceed with facility plans whose payments would extend past that year. The district has also emphasized that voting “yes” and adopting this would NOT result in a tax increase.
CGD is working on some significant building projects including a new gym at the elementary/middle school and new baseball/softball facilities. Proceeding with financing on those projects requires the revenue purpose statement. The statement also covers the use of sales tax money for many other areas such as “to provide funds to acquire or install information technology infrastructure” and “To provide funds for the purchase, lease or lease-purchase of buildings, equipment (including transportation and recreation equipment), or technology and to repair transportation equipment for transporting students.” See page 4 for the full statement and sample ballot.
WHERE TO VOTE: Voting centers will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on March 2. Any registered voter of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District living in Wright, Hancock, or Humboldt Counties MAY VOTE AT ANY of the following places in this election: Goldfield Legion Hall, Clarion Courthouse, or the Dows Convention Center. Residents in the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School district in Franklin County will vote at the Coulter Community Center.
