Pleasant Valley School District to propose tax levy at public hearing

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - The Pleasant Valley School District says it’s not planning to raise property taxes and will propose the rate to stay the same. The current tax rate is $13.46 per 1,000 of accessed valuation.

The district is planning to propose this at a public hearing on April 8 at 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley School District Administration Center in Bettendorf.

Pleasant Valley School District Superintendent Brian Strusz said the proposal is due to the district dealing with factors like inflationary pressures. However, because of housing growth in the district, Strusz says the money they’ll get back through higher property values will help offset some expenses.

“We’re looking at inflationary costs when it comes to staffing and other things just purchased that we have to make. And then also with the increase in insurance premiums that we’re seeing, all these monies will help us offset someone’s expenses we have. So even though the property taxes staying the same, the rate and it’s a decrease in overall what people are paying, with new houses coming in our area, will actually see more money coming into our district to help offset those other expenses we have,” said Strusz.

Struz also said other factors play a role in the proposed tax rate; including the growing number of students in the district. They currently have projects going on at three PV schools and are working to fill multiple positions.

“Right now we are currently interviewing for the heat of that season right now, we will be adding a number of positions across elementary, junior high in high school, everything from say, a regular classroom teacher to maybe a new band teacher as well. At the district level, we’re also looking at maybe adding another dean of students at one of our elementary schools, so not just teaching positions, but also administration,” said Strusz.

The Pleasant Valley School District staff says during the public meeting, community members can give input and ask questions. The school board is expected to take a final vote on the tax levy on April 22.

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