A possible public referendum updating the Fort Dodge Community School District’s revenue purpose statement and extending its voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy was discussed at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.

“Over this past year, while discussing the transition of the fifth-graders back to the elementary model, we have touched on how we would finance these projects,” Superintendent Dr. Jesse Ulrich said. “Through our financial models, we stated the plan would be to borrow against the SAVE revenue, also known as the state penny, to fund these initiatives.”

The state of Iowa recently extended the SAVE initiative through 2051, requiring districts to update their revenue purpose statements if they chose to bond against future SAVE funds past 2031. The SAVE initiative is a statewide one cent sales tax that finances school infrastructure.

“The changes to the revenue purpose statement would broaden and enhance the current usages and provide the board discretion for its usage,” Ulrich said.

Ulrich began the discussion with the school board about whether or not it should have a public referendum to update the revenue purpose statement, adding that it would be wise to address an extension for the district’s PPEL at the same time, as it would reduce the number of special elections.

“We would be asking our public for a 10-year extension of our current rate for 10 years, which would take us into June 2024,” Ulrich said. “It is important to note that the district would not be requesting an increase in taxes, but rather extending what we currently have.”

The board will continue discussing the possible referendum at the May 26 meeting. The school board would need to pass a resolution adding the public referendum to the Sept. 8 school board election ballot by July 24.

In other business, the board approved a $25,938 purchase of security cameras and equipment for the new Central Office and maintenance facility. The contract is with the Baker Group, of Des Moines.

The next school board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, due to the Memorial Day holiday.