March 28, 2024

Prescott and Creston School consolidation update

The process moves forward for the April special election giving the voting public the choice on whether to combine the Creston and Prescott School Districts or not. The two boards and school staff members have worked to present the public with accurate information, to meet with community members, and to listen. This information sharing and listening will continue. Of course a public decision like this is always accompanied by rumors and misinformation. That is one reason why the boards have decided to postpone the special election from February to April. We all want to make sure the public is informed, and we want to assure time to receive public input. Of course possible sharing or consolidation discussions have gone on for well over 30 years in Prescott.

On the Creston side, projections indicate that the school’s portion of the property tax levy should decrease by as much as 72 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation if the vote should pass. On the Prescott side, due to the two boards agreeing that the Prescott patrons will not be held responsible to pay for past Creston debt, the school portion of the levy would increase gradually over a four year period by $2.42 per $1,000 taxable valuation.

Had the boards agreed to have Prescott assume a portion of current Creston debt, the Prescott levy rate is projected to have increased $4.50 per $1,000 taxable valuation. This will not occur if the consolidation passes according to the current agreement between the two school boards. Again, these are only projections based on what we know today. These projected numbers involve only the school portion of the total property tax levy.

What will happen if the vote fails in either district? If this should happen, the Creston Schools move forward as usual. However, the superintendent/principal and business manager currently being shared between the two districts will then revert back to their Creston positions. Therefore Prescott will then need to find and hire qualified people for both spots. Just to squelch a recent rumor, the superintendent will see absolutely no personal gain from a school merger. My pay will decrease and my responsibilities will be reduced if the vote fails.

There is also a question about how long the Iowa Department of Education may allow Prescott to stay open. Prescott is now the smallest school district in the state by student enrollment. There is a legitimate chance that the school may be forced to close and to dissolve similar to the way Clearfield recently did. Some believe this may be the best for everyone in the Prescott School District. A vote “no” on the ballot in April will most likely equate to a vote for the eventual dissolution of the district.

Should the Prescott School District dissolve, it will then be divided into pieces with each neighboring district receiving a portion of the property valuation. In that case, the property assigned to the Southwest Valley School District (Corning and Villisca) would be taxed at the levy rate of that district. Other districts contiguous to the Prescott District would also receive their portion of Prescott's current taxable valuation. So the property assigned to Lenox would pay the levy rate of the Lenox Schools and the same would happen with Orient-Macksburg, Nodaway Valley and Creston. In this scenario, the property assigned to the Creston District would then increase by the projected $4.50 per $1,000 taxable valuation and not the projected increase of $2.42 included in the potential consolidation agreement.
Obviously this decision will impact the Prescott School and community more than Creston. Prescott has explored other arrangements with other neighboring districts over the years and not one has germinated and grown into an arrangement that would benefit both districts involved and their students. While tax levy rates, property and politics all come into play, our local girls and boys and their learning are what should be our top priorities. Our elected board members in Prescott and Creston have remained focused on what will be best for kids now and in the future. Please keep in mind that families may open-enroll their children to any district they choose no matter what happens with this decision.

The Prescott Community School District was established in 1914, so the district and still-standing, main school building are 100 years old. It is sad to think about the potential loss of such a proud school district, but we all understand how our local economy and population have changed over the years. Local registered voters will determine the future of the Prescott Community School District through the special election in April. Creston voters will have their say in the matter, as well.

This is a very difficult decision. Many viewpoints exist. So do disagreements, but there is no reason for this to become ugly. We are so fortunate to live in a free country where we are allowed to vote and to make decisions for our local schools and communities. Regardless of the final outcome, we will continue to do our best to take care of all of our local children.