Revenue Purpose Statement extended in school district special election

MT. PLEASANT — The extension of the Revenue Purpose Statement and election of Melinda Huisinga to the Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board passed in the school district special election held Tuesday, Sept. 12.

According to Superintendent John Henriksen, the passing the extension of the Revenue Purpose Statement will not raise taxes or change the manner in which the school district is able to spend this money brought in from the statewide penny sales tax.

While the Revenue Purpose Statement does govern how the school district can use the revenue distributed by the Internal Revenue Service to districts throughout the state, the only change to the Mt. Pleasant’s most recent Revenue Purpose Statement is the date.

“The reason we did this is because the state legislator extended the collection of the penny sales tax out to 2049,” Henriksen stated.

Previously, this tax was slated to end in 2029 and the school district’s Revenue Purpose Statement needed to reflect this change.

Mt. Pleasant Community School District residents should not notice any changes in this tax as Henriksen explained that it is only the tax that they already pay when they purchase certain items throughout the state.

“It is not a property tax,” he said. “It is not a local tax. It is a tax that if you buy certain items throughout the state, the retailer collects that tax, and the revenue service distributes that money n a per pupil basis throughout the state.”

Every district in the state receives a portion of this tax according to how many students are enrolled in their district.

Henriksen also explained that this revenue is only available for use on infrastructure expenses.

“It can’t be used for programming, salary, or benefits,” he said.

The consistent language in MPCSD’s Revenue Purpose Statement does allow the district to use the funds in infrastructure expenses that best suit the district instead of being restricted to following a specific order for spending.

In addition to voters approving the Revenue Purpose Statement extension, they also elected Melinda Huisinga to continue serving on the school board for the next six weeks until the next election.

“Melinda was serving before the election as an appointed member by the board,” Henriksen explained. “She filled a vacancy on the board when we had a member move and they couldn’t serve on that seat anymore. So, she was serving that vacancy.”

According to Henriksen, because Huisinga was an appointed board member, when a special election came up for the district, she was required to run for election to her position.

“We’re super excited that she was voted in,” he said.

Due to redistricting, Huisinga will have to once again run for her seat on the school board in November’s election if she chooses to continue serving on the board.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com