(Radio Iowa) — One of the priorities of the Iowa Association of School Boards in the new year is to get the legislature to pass an extension of the one-cent sales tax for infrastructure. Atlantic School Board vice president Kristy Pellett talked with other board members about how the tax has helped her district.”Mostly capital needs, technology. In our district of Atlantic it’s been an important resource and fund for us,” Pellet says. “We’ve spent over 15 million dollars on projects in Atlantic. Those have included H-V-A-C and L-E-D lighting improvements. The important part of that — that has increased our energy efficiency in the district — which saves dollars in the general fund.”

She says there are other projects where the fund has helped. “We have also utilized that to improve education and safety for our students,” she says. “One of those items was a one-to-one computer initiative. We’ve added elevators to three of our buildings using this fund. And most recently we purchased a building to house our alternative school.”

The penny tax is scheduled to end in 2029 and Pellett says they are pushing for an extension now because the tax helps ensure better bond rates for projects. “By extending that you allow that opportunity for districts to utilize that revenue with today’s expenses and bond against future proceeds,” Pellett explains.

Pellett says board members are aware of the tight funds in the state, but says this would extend a tax that has proven to be successful and is not creating something new. She says the money generated helps the entire community. There is a benefit even if you don’t have students in school right now. Those are public use facilities that are used for many, many activities other than just the education of our kids,” Pellett says.

Pellett encourages parents and community members to talk with their school boards to learn more about how the tax is used in their districts. She is encouraging school board members across the state to talk with local legislators about the importance of extending the tax.