Editor’s note: In preparation for the Aug. 2 special election on which the Sidney City Schools has placed a permanent improvement levy, the Sidney Daily News will publish a weekly question dealing with the levy and what it means to the district. The questions and answers have been provided by the PI levy committee.

SIDNEY — On Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, Sidney City Schools will be asking voters to approve a 3.0 mill permanent improvement (PI) levy for 5 years to maintain current facilities and equipment. In 2009, the Sidney City School Board allowed a .8 mill PI levy to expire, which had been renewed every 5 years since 1979; from 1969-1978, a 1.0 mill PI levy has been in place. Without a PI levy, permanent improvement expenses have been taken from the general fund. The passage of this levy will ensure that the district can maintain facilities, buses, textbooks, and technology with minimal or no impact to the general fund.

The total amount of money to be collected annually by the levy is $1,383,628. Monies collected from the PI levy can only be used for facility repairs and upgrades, and cannot be used for salaries, wages, or benefits. Examples of permanent improvements include building and grounds maintenance and upkeep, including: roofs, bus maintenance and purchases, window replacements and upgrades, lockers, classroom furniture, boilers, water lines/plumbing, HVAC repairs and upgrades, electrical repairs and upgrades, brick and mortar, sidewalk and parking lot maintenance and repair, playground mulch, door upgrades, building security enhancements, indoor/outdoor lighting, sump pumps, carpet/floor tile, gutters, etc.

Directly related to learning, permanent improvement expenses also include textbooks and technology, including: computers, network infrastructure and switches, iPads, Chromebooks, etc.

More information and answers to other questions about the PI levy can be found on Citizens for Sidney Schools website at www.sidneyschoolslevy.org.