SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) is a funding stream which was formerly known as the statewide school infrastructure sales and services tax or as the local option sales and services tax for school infrastructure. These monies received for school infrastructure purposes are to be utilized solely for school infrastructure needs or school district property tax relief.
The Clinton School District has borrowed against future SAVE funds to build the new middle school, the new Jefferson Elementary, the new Eagle Heights Elementary, and the high school pool and gym addition. By using SAVE funding, property tax payers benefit from these projects because they are not funded through local bond issues.
Although many facility needs were met in the last decade, some remain. Clinton High School has some original infrastructure from 1950-1970. HVAC, lighting, plumbing, electrical, windows, and flooring have exceeded their lifetimes. Parking at several of our school sites needs to be improved. The third wing of the middle school and a performing arts center were eliminated from the middle school due to budget constraints.
The current SAVE expires in 2029. Although this seems like a long time away, school districts are losing capacity to bond using SAVE. Long term facility planning is affected if SAVE is not extended. The ability to address the concerns in the above paragraph will be difficult without an extension of SAVE.
Extending SAVE in the 2018 session will not impact the tight budget discussions. The extension will support school facility needs and act as property tax relief. Please consider contacting our local representatives to support the extension of SAVE.
Our local representatives are:
- Rita Hart (D, District 49)
- Norlin Mommsen (R, District 97)
- Mary Lynn Wolfe (D, District 98)
Clinton Community School District Superintendent Blog 