Why is the bond referendum needed?

Our enrollment is outgrowing our current facilities. North Bend Elementary and Tiffin Elementary will be over capacity by 2023. By building a new elementary school, we can relieve capacity at our existing elementary schools and accommodate the families moving into our district. 

The Fine Arts programs have outgrown their current facilities at both the high school and middle school. Career Technology Education (CTE) programs require additional space.  Relocating CTE classrooms and adding additional flexible classrooms to the high school will increase educational programming options for students.

It is important to the district to provide safe and inclusive playground equipment therefore a successful bond referendum will improve existing playground spaces for all elementary buildings in the district.

Why build in Coralville?

Because it is a proposed high growth area in our school district.

Tiffin, North Liberty and Coralville are three of the fastest growing communities in the state and the majority of residential developments in our school district continue to come from these cities. Placing a school in Coralville will provide a neighborhood school for the CCA students moving into this area like the other CCA neighborhood schools throughout our district. Neighborhood schools provide a bigger sense of community, more opportunities for school/parent involvement with a school close by, healthier lifestyles for students who walk and ride bikes to school and overall convenience and cost savings for both the school and parents. 

Was this part of a long range facilities plan?

Yes, the planning for this bond started in 2019 with the Facilities Advisory Committee of teachers, administrators and volunteers. Multiple options were evaluated.  The options were presented for public input, approved by the Board, and shortly after it was put on hold due to the COVID pandemic. Link to earlier planning.

Where is the current shop for the high school?

The high school was once in the middle school location. In 2009 the new high school was opened but the shop was not relocated so high school students split the time with middle school students at the middle school and have limited vocational opportunities.

Who would benefit from expanded Career Technical Education (CTE) and Fine Arts additions?

Students in grades 6-12 will use the expanded space and career-ready programming.

Will this raise my taxes?

The district will maintain the current tax rate of 17.059.  Our growth is not only in student enrollment but also in the commercial and residential tax base, which allows us to keep a fairly stable tax rate. 

Why is the Clear Creek Amana Community School District growing?

CCA continues to be one of the fastest growing districts in the state, adding 150-200 students a year. Many families choose to relocate to the District because of our schools, staff, and high-quality educational programming. The District is also located in a desirable location along the intersection of I-380 and I-80 in the Eastern Iowa Corridor where Iowa City and Cedar Rapids help to promote commercial and residential growth. Tiffin, North Liberty and Coralville are three of the fastest growing cities in Iowa and are in the Clear Creek Amana Community School District.

2020 Census Results Growth Change from 2010 Census:

• • -5.4%.   Amana Colonies
  • -10.5%  Oxford
  • 131.7%  Tiffin
  • 50.16%. North Liberty
  • 18%.      Coralville

What happens if the bond referendum doesn't pass? 

The district would be required to delay construction plans. In six months, petitions would be presented to the board to call another election for the referendum. Due to the delay, the cost of the facilities and improvements would more than likely experience an increase.

Without building elementary building #6, the District would be faced with tough decisions that could adversely impact classroom sizes, programming and opportunities for students. Given that elementary enrollment is expected to increase by 700 students in the next 5 years, we may need to explore the following alternatives:

• Starting in 2023-2024, elementary students will need to be redistributed due to capacity limits at North Bend Elementary, Tiffin Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary and Clear Creek Elementary. 
• Possible redistribution by grade level to other elementary schools and increased bussing throughout the district.
• Increased student to teacher ratio in elementary classrooms.
• Possible elimination of Pre-K programs (if not required by legislation).
• Possible portable classrooms.
• It may be a combination of solutions.
  

Is the softball/baseball complex included in the bond?

Currently, the school board is setting aside $250,000 annually of SAVE* funds for improvements to the softball and baseball fields.  This will allow the district to bond for less money.

* Secure an Advanced Vision for Education: This funding stream was formerly known as the statewide school infrastructure sales and services tax and also known as the local option sales and services tax for school infrastructure. Moneys received for school infrastructure purposes shall be utilized solely for school infrastructure needs or school district property tax relief.

What is the general timeline/order to which the projects will go?

Instructional capacity and maintaining small classroom sizes are important to the district and our families. Therefore, the elementary building will be a priority and construction of the other projects will be spaced out very similar to previous bond referendums approved by the CCA community. Timing of the projects is dependent on cash flow and availability.  e.g. the current high school addition is the last project from the 2017 bond referendum. 

What road access will be available to the new school?

https://www.ccaschools.org/cms/lib/IA50000066/Centricity/Domain/3526/2022-01-27 Coralville Public Exhibit 1.pdf

https://www.ccaschools.org/cms/lib/IA50000066/Centricity/Domain/3526/2022-01-27 Coralville Public Exhibit 2.pdf

Is the proposed vocational center at the high school on a flood plain?

No, the south end of the high school property is not a flood plain. 

The district will maintain the current tax rate of 17.059.  Our growth is not only in student enrollment but also in the commercial and residential tax base, which allows us to keep a fairly stable tax rate. 

February 9 is the first day absentee ballots can be mailed and the first day in-person early voting is allowed in the auditor's office. 

Request for mailed absentee ballots may be requested anytime between now and February 14. Absentee ballots cannot be mailed out after February 14 but in-person early voting is available in the auditor's office through February 28 during normal business hours. (Offices are closed February 21 for the President's Day holiday.)

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION

Polls are open 7:00 am – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 1. Vote at new regular polling places. Due to the 2022 reprecincting process, your precinct and polling place may have changed.

Encourage others to learn more about the bond referendum and to vote. The vote will impact all grades PK-12.