Iowa schools are losing out on millions of dollars that the state is redirecting to property tax relief, putting some schools at risk of defaulting on bonds taken out to fund facility projects.
Construction crews work on the addition at Harrison Elementary, 1310 11th St. NW in Cedar Rapids, last week. Changes approved by the Iowa Legislature this year will take money from the SAVE sales tax fund, used for school facilities, equipment and technology, and divert it to a property tax relief fund. In Cedar Rapids, that means the loss of millions that the district had planned on to complete construction at Harrison, Hoover and Van Buren elementary schools.
A fence sits in front of Harrison Elementary in northwest Cedar Rapids on June 9 as it is being renovated. An addition also is being added to include space for a new kitchen, gymnasium, kindergarten and preschool area and courtyard. The renovated and expanded school is anticipated to open for the 2027-28 school year. The estimated cost for the work is $43.9 million.
Construction crews work on the addition at Harrison Elementary, 1310 11th St. NW in Cedar Rapids, last week. Changes approved by the Iowa Legislature this year will take money from the SAVE sales tax fund, used for school facilities, equipment and technology, and divert it to a property tax relief fund. In Cedar Rapids, that means the loss of millions that the district had planned on to complete construction at Harrison, Hoover and Van Buren elementary schools.
A fence sits in front of Harrison Elementary in northwest Cedar Rapids on June 9 as it is being renovated. An addition also is being added to include space for a new kitchen, gymnasium, kindergarten and preschool area and courtyard. The renovated and expanded school is anticipated to open for the 2027-28 school year. The estimated cost for the work is $43.9 million.
