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The Physical Plant and Equipment Levy for the South Tama School District failed to pass in the Sept. 10 election, and the numbers held up in a recount this past week.
The votes in the recount confirmed there were 150 “no” tallies to 149 “yes” votes for the measure, also known as PPEL. It needed a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote to pass.
The district requested the levy be renewed for 10 years at the rate of $1.34 per $1,000 property valuation.
The levy helps fund building improvements, bus purchases, technology upgrades and other facility upgrades in the district. The PPEL provides $440,000 annually to South Tama.
“It’s a substantial fund and an important fund to the district,” said Kerri Nelson, superintendent of South Tama Schools.
Nelson said it would be a school board decision whether to bring the measure up for a special election or to possible decrease the levy rate and try again for it to be passed.