If you’re unsure why you should VOTE FOR on the upcoming Heartland Community School Tax Request Authority special election, read on.
Heartlandbeat supports the passage of this resolution seeking approval for Heartland School District to exceed its state-certified tax request authority in the amount of $1.83 million. It’s essential that this resolution passes so the already voter-approved bond issue can proceed.
The last of four informational meetings were held in Henderson on Thursday, July 20th, at the City Hall when Superintendent Jeremy Klein explained clearly and in detail the what’s and why’s behind the special election.
“We have not shied away from facing the public about this issue and welcome all engagements with our patrons,” said Klein. Heartland is making history with this special election, and Klein believes more schools will face budget issues down the road due to the consequences of this legislation and holding special elections for the same tax authority in the next few years.
It’s worth showing up for an in-person meeting and hearing Superintendent Klein take you through the history of Heartland’s unique situation due to the Nebraska Legislature’s last-minute amendments to LB243.
“Until six or seven weeks ago, we had the authority to go ahead with the seven-year lease purchase financing we had put into place to move forward with our building project,” said Klein. After the last-minute amendment (LB727) was tacked on to LB243, the Heartland project was indefinitely suspended.
The Heartland Board will hold their last informational meeting at a special board meeting in Bradshaw at the Community Center on Monday, August 31, at 7 p.m. If you are at all unclear or confused about the importance of passing this resolution for the Heartland School District, attend this meeting in person!
The Heartland Community School website has a very easy-to-read section where everything you need to know about the issue is displayed.
Go to the Heartland website where there is a tab specifically for the August 15th Special Election. There are tabs with all the information: A Nutshell, Fact Sheet, FAQ, Building Project, Tax & Levy Estimates, Election & Voting, Informational Meetings.
The ballots will begin mailing out this Monday, July 24th – August 4th. They were designed to be a simple VOTE FOR or against for Heartland to request additional tax request authority.
What’s different about this special election is that passage of the requested tax authority requires approval from 60% of voters voting on the issue. That is a higher bar the legislature set than just getting a simple majority.
If this resolution does not pass, Heartland will not have the funds for the complete building project as proposed. The worst-case scenario would be figuring out how to cut the project in half.
Let’s not go there!
VOTE FOR so Heartland can proceed with this necessary and vital building project.
RECAP OF BUILDING PROJECT
Main entrance/office expansion and safety renovations
Four-classroom elementary addition
Childcare facility
Agriculture/Industrial Technology shop connection to the main building
Activity entrance renovation
Weight room addition
Locker room addition
North gym, air conditioning, and bleachers
Fire sprinklers
Updated fire detection system and controls
Upgraded electrical capacity, power distribution systems, and infrastructure
