Ambassadors had the opportunity to hear from Grinnell-Newburg Community School Superintendent Lisa Beames about the upcoming PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy) Vote on Tuesday, March 4th. Lisa shared more about how the school board came to the decision to proceed with a March vote, how the funds and land donation will be used and why this vote is different from previous school votes.
There are 3 primary factors that played into the decision to go to vote this March.
1. Over the last 50 years, the district has had nearly 1,000 less students enrolled; this is not unique to many rural Iowa schools but does play a huge impact in budgets. This has led to a decrease of state per-pupil funding of nearly $11 million over the same time period. Our district is still operating with the same building configuration it was 50 years ago, but with significantly less students and therefore less money coming into the general fund.
2. All of the district buildings are aging. Just like homes and commercial spaces, things in schools wear out or need updated to fit within the current needs. With the closure of Davis Elementary at the end of this school year, a plan needs to be put into motion for lower elementary consolidation in a new building.
3. A lot has changed over the last 50 years in how schools operate, both from a social perspective but also from legal requirements set by the state and federal government. For example, our district's newest building was built in the 1970s during the energy crisis which led to much different physical conditions (lighting, layout, etc) in classrooms than is now considered ideal. Additional changes to student support needs, programming and teacher requirements have created challenges in best utilizing the current facilities.
The School District has done their due diligence to ensure the land donation from the @ahrensfamilyfoundation would fit their needs to build a new elementary school. They've determined, in consultation with city representatives, Alliant Energy and CMBA Architects & Engineers, that there is sufficient infrastructure to support the new building, and allow for the possibility of future growth. The District along with community partners, including those who may be impacted (e.g. Ahrens, City, and Early Learning Center), will work together to determine the future of the current spaces if the vote passes. Pending a successful levy vote, the District is committed to working in the best interest of its partners and community offerings to explore potential options for these amenities.
The District also determined that the increase in PPEL funding would generate $32 million which would be sufficient to build a K-4th grade building, and potentially K-5th (pending bids). Their strategy is to build to what they can feasibly generate through the increased PPEL and not above which differs from previous approaches where projects determined the budget and overall tax impact.
The Board has chosen to utilize PPEL funds, paired with additional dollars the district can utilize and leverage, because the commitment from the taxpayers is lower. Typically, GO (General Obligation) Bonds would increase taxes by $2.70/$1,000 assessed value and would last for 22+ years. PPEL maximum tax amount is $1.34/$1,000 and has a 10 year commitment. Districts can only go to vote on a GO Bond in November while PPEL can be taken to vote in March, September and November. The School Board decided a March vote gives the district the best path to create a plan and begin construction sooner, which would allow for a new school to come on line at the beginning of a school year, minimizing significant disruptions for students and teachers.
To learn how your personal tax commitment would adjust to support the future of education in Grinnell, visit grinnellschoolvote.com to use the tax calculator. If you'd like to hear from Superintendent Beames, join her at the Poweshiek County Fairgrounds tonight at 7 PM or Grinnell College Golf Course on Thursday at 7 PM. She'll share this presentation and answer questions from the audience. Additional sessions are planned for the coming weeks, find more details on our community calendar. Voting will take place on Tuesday, March 4 at Grinnell's Elks Lodge for Poweshiek County voters and at the Kellogg Fire Station for Jasper County voters. Early voting and absentee ballots are available, contact your county auditor for more information.
Thanks to the members that joined us including: Rachel Aresneault - Ramsey-Weeks Real Estate, Phil Grout - HyVee, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting, Kevin McAlexander - Hawkeye Lock, Trent Arment - Mahaska Communication Group, Dedee Lehman - All In Real Estate Inc, Matt Moyer - Bayer Crop Science, Hannah O'Polka - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Joni Schmidt - Mayflower Homes, Barb Baker - Grinnell Mutual, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College, Alyssa Sliger - First Interstate Bank, Sarah Smith - Grinnell College, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Are Arts Council, Jack Mathews - Our Grinnell, Katy Wells - Double You Marketing
Ambassadors learned more about two important community topics this week. First, Chamber President/CEO Rachael Kinnick shared information about the upcoming vote to increase PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) for the Grinnell-Newburg Community Schools. The vote will take place Tuesday, March 4th at the Elks Lodge for Poweshiek County or at the Kellogg Fire Station for Jasper County. Absentee ballots are available, contact your county auditor to learn more.
The GNSD plans to use the increase in PPEL funds and pair them with additional funds to build a new K-5th Grade elementary school. The ballot initiative is to increase PPEL to the maximum allowed amount, $1.34/$1,000 of assessed value on property. It’s important to note this tax is on the ASSESSED value of your property, not your fair market value or sale price. The district has a calculator for residents to learn what this means for their property. If the PPEL were to pass, an example of a $200,000 assessed value home on residential property would result in $47.71 annual property tax increase after the Reduction for Income Surtax. You can find your property’s assessed value at https://beacon.schneidercorp.com/
Thanks to a generous gift of 40 acres from the Ahrens Park Foundation, the school district will not need to purchase land if the levy passes. The gift of land is contingent on the PPEL passing in March. You can learn more about the proposed levy, your tax implication and how PPEL is different then GO Bonds at grinnellschoolvote.com
Public information sessions will be hosted on February 4th at 5:30 PM at Drake Community Library and February 6 at 7 PM at Grinnell Eagles by the Building a Community Together Group. Superintendent Lisa Beames will present the facts and answer questions. Additional sessions are planned and will be announced in the coming days.
As Educational Support is one of our strategic initiatives, the Grinnell Chamber is committed to sharing updates from the School District in regards to the upcoming PPEL vote. More information will be shared via our social channels, website, and community newsletter.
Ambassador also learned a few updates as part of the upcoming Highway 146 reconstruction, set to commence in the next few months.. You may recall hearing about this project as the city has been working with the DOT for 3.5 years to prepare, and the city council formally approved it in May 2023. As Business Support is a key part of our strategic initiatives, we are committed to sharing project updates from Iowa DOT and the City of Grinnell to support the 90+ businesses that will be affected by these improvements.
Roadwork will take place from Interstate 80 to Highway 6. Portions of Highway 146 may be temporarily closed while sections of work are being completed but residents and visitors will still be able to travel the full length of the highway. Temporary detours are unlikely but may be needed to access some businesses; as those go into place, information will be shared with the community. It's important to remember that while it might not be overly easy to access every area, it is critical that the community continue to support the businesses impacted throughout this project.
Planned work includes:
There are some exciting updates happening as part of this project; additional decorative street lighting will be added from 1st Ave to Highway 6, new pedestrian crossing signage will be added at Industrial Ave, Marvin/Washington area, and 1st Ave, and trailwork will be done to further connect to the existing trail down by the Interstate.
This project is expected to go to bid in mid-April with construction beginning sometime early summer. We are fortunate that investments are being made to critical infrastructure in our community and we look forward to the completed project. More updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Special thanks to the members that were able to join us this morning including: Monica St. Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Desiree Strayer - German Plumbing Heating and Cooling, Alyssa Sliger - First Interstate Bank, Hannah Greene - Bayer Crop Science, Hannah O'Polka - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Charlie Isaacs - Theisen's, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Donna Fischer - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center Foundation, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections, Dorothy Spriggs - Carriage House Bed & Breakfast, Fran Conn, Kody Bigelow - Walmart Grinnell
Ambassadors welcomed new member Grinnell Kiwanis to the Chamber today. President Rob Smith shared that a group of locals revitalized the Grinnell chapter over the last year and a half after COVID caused the previous group to disband.
Their current priorities are focused on helping children in the community. They look to partner with existing programs and organizations to help provide additional value. Recent projects include donating books to every preschooler in Grinnell and assisting with paying off lunch debt for students that receive free and reduced lunch. They’re excited to continue to grow involvement in the coming year and are looking for other ways to get involved.
Kiwanis meet the first and third Thursday of every month at 5 PM in the back room at Hometown Heroes. They’re always accepting new members, reach out to a current member or stop by the next meeting to learn more.
Pictured L-R: Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Joni Schmidt - Mayflower Homes, Hannah O’Polka - Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Fran Conn, Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Rachel Bly - Kiwanis & Grinnell College, Ashley Symbol - First State Bank, Lisa Lindley - Kiwanis, Shane Hart - Grinnell College Golf Course, Jeff Schwark - Kiwanis & Jeffrey A. Schwark Financial Services Co., Rob Smith - Kiwanis & Smith Funeral Home & Crematory, Phil Grout - Kiwanis & Hy-Vee, Brad German - Kiwanis & GreenState Credit Union, Kody Bigelow - Walmart Grinnell, Jordan Alsup - Kiwanis & Grinnell Recreation, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Rachel Arseanault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate
Today Ambassadors visited Walmart Grinnell to learn more about the current remodel which started this week, from store manager Kody Bigelow. The remodel will be taking place in phases and will last approximately 16 weeks. Most of the remodel is taking place throughout the night so there will be minimal disruption during regular store hours to shoppers. The Grinnell store has not had a remodel since 2006, which was when the store relocated to its current location. There are some great changes coming when this remodel is complete and the WalMart team are very excited for the needs they will be meeting for our community.
The remodel will bring more selection in additional Asian and Hispanic grocery products, and will feature an expanded beer, wine & liquor section. They are also launching a gluten-free section based on feedback from customers and Walmart associates. While departments will be shifting to create a more cohesive layout mirroring other Walmart locations, nearly all of our amenities are staying and many are being expanded! The pharmacy will be getting an expanded footprint, including a services room for more privacy. Walmart Plus will also be launching RX Delivery to its users in the coming weeks. The Pet section will be upgraded and moved towards the back of the store, and will feature the addition of 2 Fresh Pet coolers. The Grinnell store will soon feature 8 staffed checkout registers, in addition to self checkout options. The restrooms will be getting an entire remodel as well as an addition of a mothers room. Perhaps one of the coolest additions to the space will be a mural in the entryway; Kody said the mural will reflect the Grinnell Community and is excited to see it completed towards the end of the remodel.
Some key take-aways Walmart wants our community to know:
1. Be patient with them, the staff is hard at work staying up-to-date on temporary product moves and being as informed as they can be. They are also willing to help you locate what you need, and you can search a product's aisle location online.
2. Continue to shop with them! Many items are being clearanced out to accommodate the remodel so there are great deals in many departments. Walmart is here to stay and will continue to serve the Grinnell Community.
3. If there is a product you would like to see carried in the Grinnell store, talk with Kody or a store leader and they'll see if they can accommodate - they want to be able to meet the needs of our local community if they can!
P.S. The bread is now in aisle A15!
Pictured L-R: Phil Grout- Hy-Vee, Trent Arment- MCG - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Rachael Kinnick- Grinnell Chamber, Donna Fischer- UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center Foundation, Jennifer McAlexander- Hawkeye Lock & Security & JM Consulting, Hannah O'Polka- Cleanfoodfix Wellness Studio, Joni Schmidt- The Mayflower Community, Rachel Arsenault- Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Brenden Baxter- T-Mobile, Fran Conn- Retired, Desiree Strayer- German Plumbing Heating and Cooling, Brianna Gaunt- Community 1st Credit Union, Davant Marshall- T-Mobile, Matt Moyer- Bayer Crop Science, Jeff Finch- Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Casey Hawkins- Walmart Grinnell & Kody Bigelow- Walmart Grinnell
Ambassadors visited Beckman Gallery & Gifts today to learn more about shopping local this holiday season. Owner Ryan Beckman shared that his team has been immersed in all things holiday since October, getting the store decorated and holiday items ordered and out.
Some of the popular items this year are Jellycats stuffed animals, P.F. Candle Co., Stonewall Home & Kitchen, Barebones, Michel Design Works and more. In addition to the huge selection of products and gifts in store, Ryan and his team have been working hard to build out a website where people can order online and pick up in store or have gifts shipped anywhere in the US. While it hasn’t been an easy process, having a virtual presence has allowed Beckman’s customer base to grow.
Beckman Gallery & Gifts is open until 7 PM this week and 5 PM on Saturday as part of our holiday Extended Retail Hours. Stop in store at 912 Main St to shop or head online to beckmangallery.com
Additional Extended Retail Hours activities include:
Pictured L-R: Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Lisa Cirks - Cirks Financial Services, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Rick Jacoby - Grinnell American Legion, Ryan Beckman - Beckman Gallery & Gifts, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate
