City of Ankeny : View Comments

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August 17, 2009 From Brian Thompson - Kudos to the City of Ankeny!! Now I can say I’m a tax paying resident of a town who allows a few people to control the future educational developments largely because of their “feelings” and history of graduating from a one high school community. FYI…times have changed and many in the public can see the attempt to for force the Ankeny Schools into a corner that more than 60% of the tax-paying citizens voted against. I’m sure the city will be there with open arms to collect all of the money from the countless homes and/or business which will build next to the second high school. It is only a matter of time before it happens and the city has been planning for growth in that direction for years, but if they can get someone else to flip the bill – why not? As if the Ankeny School district does not have enough to worry about with the busting at the seams school buildings! Thanks again council members…you are doing a fine job! Pat yourself on the back! Concerned Parent
City response dated August 17, 2009 “A few people to control the future educational developments because of their feelings…graduating from a one high school community” - The role of the city council is not to determine how many high schools the school district needs and has not done so. Rather, the role of the city council is to adopt plans for the entire community, ensure sustainable public investments, coordinate planning with the school district and make the best use of tax dollars. “If they can get someone else to flip the bill…” - As noted in the Council presentation of August 10, 2009, Ankeny taxpayers are the ones who will pay for infrastructure to support a high school at 36^th & State Streets, regardless of whether the school district or the city finances the cost. It is the view of the city council that taxpayers within the larger school district boundaries should share that cost, not just Ankeny taxpayers. The city advised the school officials in November 2008 that the District would be responsible for infrastructure costs to build a high school at this site. As the District's facilities plan needsd have changed, the City has offered a number of funding proposals: all of which share the cost of infrastructure. There is no guarantee when development will occur in this area. Until then, the taxpayers of Ankeny will incur the cost of school district infrastructure. Deb Dyar Public Relations Officer
August 17, 2009 From Sarah Summers - Dido the first comment – I agree 100%. Let’s stop and think about our children here…last I checked, the public voted for two high schools and are paying for it! Let’s save the school’s money for more important items such as academics – sounds crazy, doesn’t. Crazy in Ankeny
City response dated August 17, 2009 It is the view of the city council that taxpayers within the larger school district boundaries should share the cost of infrastructure for a high school at this location, rather than just Ankeny taxpayers. The school district did not determine the 36^th Street location as the site for a second high school until January 2009. In December 2008, the city council approved the Capital Improvements Program. Deb Dyar Public Relations Officer
August 17, 2009 From Dennis Street - WOW! A round of applause for the cities PR department, what a great job of "spinning" their side of the story! Well done, we'll remember this at election time!
City response dated August 17, 2009 The information posted on the City website is in response to questions and concerns the mayor and city council have received regarding this important community topic. The city council, school board and the Ankeny community share a common goal and common purpose: to meet the needs of Ankeny’s children in the most affordable and responsible manner. The information represents public documents and materials from the city and the school district, as well as published excerpts from the Des Moines Register and is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative work that has been undertaken between the city and school district to support the District’s facility needs. All documents are available for public inspection upon request. Deb Dyar Public Relations Officer

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August 17, 2009
From Brian Thompson - Kudos to the City of Ankeny!! Now I can say I’m a tax paying resident of a town who allows a few people to control the future educational developments largely because of their “feelings” and history of graduating from a one high school community. FYI…times have changed and many in the public can see the attempt to for force the Ankeny Schools into a corner that more than 60% of the tax-paying citizens voted against.

I’m sure the city will be there with open arms to collect all of the money from the countless homes and/or business which will build next to the second high school. It is only a matter of time before it happens and the city has been planning for growth in that direction for years, but if they can get someone else to flip the bill – why not? As if the Ankeny School district does not have enough to worry about with the busting at the seams school buildings!

Thanks again council members…you are doing a fine job! Pat yourself on the back!

Concerned Parent

City response dated August 17, 2009
“A few people to control the future educational developments because of their feelings…graduating from a one high school community” - The role of the city council is not to determine how many high schools the school district needs and has not done so. Rather, the role of the city council is to adopt plans for the entire community, ensure sustainable public investments, coordinate planning with the school district and make the best use of tax dollars.

“If they can get someone else to flip the bill…” - As noted in the Council presentation of August 10, 2009, Ankeny taxpayers are the ones who will pay for infrastructure to support a high school at 36^th & State Streets, regardless of whether the school district or the city finances the cost. It is the view of the city council that taxpayers within the larger school district boundaries should share that cost, not just Ankeny taxpayers. The city advised the school officials in November 2008 that the District would be responsible for infrastructure costs to build a high school at this site. As the District's facilities plan needsd have changed, the City has offered a number of funding proposals: all of which share the cost of infrastructure.

There is no guarantee when development will occur in this area. Until then, the taxpayers of Ankeny will incur the cost of school district infrastructure.

Deb Dyar
Public Relations Officer

August 17, 2009
From Sarah Summers - Dido the first comment – I agree 100%. Let’s stop and think about our children here…last I checked, the public voted for two high schools and are paying for it! Let’s save the school’s money for more important items such as academics – sounds crazy, doesn’t.

Crazy in Ankeny

City response dated August 17, 2009
It is the view of the city council that taxpayers within the larger school district boundaries should share the cost of infrastructure for a high school at this location, rather than just Ankeny taxpayers.

The school district did not determine the 36^th Street location as the site for a second high school until January 2009. In December 2008, the city council approved the Capital Improvements Program.

Deb Dyar
Public Relations Officer

August 17, 2009
From Dennis Street - WOW! A round of applause for the cities PR department, what a great job of "spinning" their side of the story! Well done, we'll remember this at election time!

City response dated August 17, 2009
The information posted on the City website is in response to questions and concerns the mayor and city council have received regarding this important community topic. The city council, school board and the Ankeny community share a common goal and common purpose: to meet the needs of Ankeny’s children in the most affordable and responsible manner.

The information represents public documents and materials from the city and the school district, as well as published excerpts from the Des Moines Register and is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative work that has been undertaken between the city and school district to support the District’s facility needs. All documents are available for public inspection upon request.

Deb Dyar
Public Relations Officer

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Last updated: 8/21/2009 3:57:50 PM