A Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) is a voter-approved levy that generates funds that school districts can use for infrastructure and equipment repairs, purchases and improvements. This money can only be used for these specific purposes.

Should Albia Community School District residents approve the voted PPEL on March 4, 2025, the district would use the funds for a variety of needs, including: Enhancing education and activity facilities Safety and security improvements Roof replacements and repairs Upgrades to HVAC systems Traffic and parking improvements Expanding technology for students Classroom updates Playground improvements New vehicle purchases Unforeseen expenses, such as recent foundation issues ​ We strive to provide our students the education experience, environment, and resources they need to be prepared for college and careers. Revenue provided by a voted PPEL would play a key role in fulfilling that mission.

If the voted PPEL is not approved by at least 50% of voters, we will need to spend money from our general fund to support facility and equipment needs, which could lead to budget and staffing reductions. This is significant as the general fund is used to support employee wages and benefits, as well as curriculum, and supplemental materials. If Albia CSD cannot provide competitive compensation packages, we are unlikely to retain and attract the best candidates for positions become available.

The proposed voted PPEL rate is $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

The voted PPEL rate would be $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property value. This would amount to an estimated tax impact of $88.84 per year (or $7.40 per month) on a home within the district with an assessed value of $150,000 in FY 2026. For a home owner using the senior homestead exemption (age 65+), the annual tax impact would be $84.71 per year (or $7.06 per month). Additional credits such as military veteran, family farm, and others may further reduce the impact on your own property. The tax impact would be approximately $0.70 per acre for agricultural property, based on the per-acre average value in Monroe County of $713. MORE: See the tax impact report

The School Board and administration at Albia CSD respect the needs of our property taxpayers, which is why the district's cumulative levy rate has steadily declined over the past 15 years. In FY 2011, the district's rate was $15.92 per $1,000 of taxable property value. In the current fiscal year, the levy rate was $12.35 per $1,000.

Albia CSD maintains one of the lowest cumulative tax levy rates compared to neighboring districts and those the South Central Conference.

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Polling locations include: Precincts 1-5: Monroe County Courthouse: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Albia City and Guilford, Troy, Pleasant, Mantua, Monroe and Urbana Townships ​ Precinct 6: Lovilia Community Building: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Lovilia City and Cedar, Union and Bluff Creek Townships ​ Precinct 7: St. Patrick’s Church: Eligible electors of the Albia Community School District in Melrose City and Wayne, Jackson and Franklin Townships

Yes. A valid ID is necessary in order to cast a ballot.

Yes. In-person absentee voting will be available starting on Wednesday, February 12 at the Monroe County Auditor’s Office. This office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and located inside the county courthouse in Albia at 10 Benton Avenue East. The final day to cast an absentee ballot in person will be Monday, March 3. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot from the county auditor is Monday, February 17. Absentee ballots that have been requested will be mailed out beginning February 12. Ballots must be received by the auditor's office before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on election day (Tuesday, March 4) in order to be considered for counting. More information is available through the Monroe County Auditor's Office at https://monroecounty.iowa.gov/offices/elections or by calling 641-932-2865. The auditor's office is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Voters who reside in the Albia Community School District will see the following question on their ballots: Shall the Board of Directors of the Albia Community School District, in the Counties of Monroe and Appanoose, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; purchasing of buildings; purchase, lease or lease purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, 3 improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; renting facilities under Iowa Code Chapter 28E; purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or each year thereafter?