Mason City voters have the opportunity to approve a tax levy to benefit Mason City Schools in a special election on April 3rd. The levy is to approve funding for two programs: the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL). The instructional support levy is to support the district-wide educational programming and the district-wide instructional for students, along with the building supports for the school district in Mason City. The levy helps to fund counselors, library support, nursing, elementary teachers, social workers, positive behavior intervention, and supports PBIS, which stands for the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports in our community.
The PPEL helps to fund technology for students, technology infrastructure, district facility improvements, operational and management software, and a high-speed wide-area network. Both programs enhance the security of the schools and help connect students to mental health options if they are in need of any assistance. The levy also provides a summer reading program for students in our community.
Any funds gained towards the PPEL are only to be used for building and equipment purchases and repairs. The program has allowed M.C.C.S.D to provide laptops and tablets to all students in K-12. The PPEL has also helped the Jefferson and Hoover facilities to be equipped with air conditioning.
It is important to note that the ISL/PPEL is not a new levy since voters of Mason City approved a 67 percent levy in 2013 for five years. This levy is simply to extend the vote of the 67% levy for another ten years. It is also important to take note that voting Yes for this levy will not change taxes and will not cost individuals in our community any additional property or income tax. If anyone is interested in learning more about I.S.L/ P.P.E.L, they can visit the district website www.masoncityschools.org