Hudson 2020 and the PPEL: Make Your Voice Heard on September 10th

This is the last opportunity I will have to encourage you to vote on September 10th. Polls will be open from noon to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 10th. On that date, we will be asking voters of the Hudson Community School District to renew the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. Please remember that this is not a property tax increase and that renewing this revenue stream will continue to be a valuable resource for the school district that enables us to provide top notch resources for our students. The last three weeks have really been a historical view of the PPEL. We first started out with an explanation of this funding source for our budget and then spent some time discussing some of the projects that have been funded through PPEL dollars. As the final article in a four-part series, I thought it prudent to take a look at the future. What do we plan to do going forward?

I would encourage you to take a look at the vision, which can be found on our website at www.hudsonpiratepride.com. Approximately a year ago, the Board of Directors commissioned the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) to conduct a study that culminated with the release of Hudson 2020, which was adopted by the Board on  July 22, 2013. The study included feedback and data collection from all stakeholders in the district. Included were parents, students, community members, and staff. The analysis of the data resulted in the SIAC making six separate recommendations to the Board of Directors. Among those recommendations were statements of support in relationship to the size of classes in the elementary school, the importance of rigorous courses at the high school including concurrent enrollment and AP courses, and a significant investment in capital projects such as investments in 21st Century Technologies and upgrades to facilities.

However, the first recommendation recognizes the importance of the PPEL election on September 10th with the statement, "Before making any significant expenditure in capital outlay, it will be important to consider the outcome of the PPEL issue that will be on the ballot in September of 2013." Without a successful renewal of the PPEL, it will undoubtedly result in the delay or elimination of some of the projects that are in the planning stages. Some of those projects include the following:

• Upgrades and renovation of the high school auditorium
• 1:1 Computer initiative
• Elementary school upgrades
• Renovations to athletic facilities
• Replacement of fleet vehicles

There is no doubt that this is an exciting time for the Hudson Community School District! After two years of enrollment growth and an improved financial position the time is right to make significant investments in our school district. Please remember to vote on September 10th. The polls will be open from noon to 8:00 PM a the Hudson Community Center.