If the $4.2 million bond issue still seems expensive, remember that it will be spread throughout the entire Grinnell community. Superintendant David Stoakes has calculated that the owner of a home assessed at $75,000 (with a taxable value of $33,691 after the state-mandated 'rollback') will have an annual increase of only $26.79 on his or her annual property taxes for the next 20 years (Grinnell Herald-Register 4).
If a family lives in that home with a child attending Grinnell High School, the tax increase spread over the 180 days of school that the child uses the improved facilities becomes less than $0.15 per day of school. For a Grinnell resident who does not have any children attending GHS, the resident would pay approximately $0.07 each day of the year for the tax increase that would improve the Grinnell community as a whole.
In conclusion, the small tax increase seems to be a great deal for taxpayers. By voting "yes" and spending only pocket change each day, a member of the Grinnell community could feel a benefit every day.
Source: "Bond Election Offers a Fine Opportunity for Progress." The Grinnell Herald-Register. 4 September 2003, page 4.