School Board Members Give Blessing to Facilities Funding Plan, Emphasizing No New Taxes: Iowa City Daily News Links, Oct. 12

It's Friday!

On to the Links!

Gregg Hennigan of the Gazette was at last night's school board work session where district officials proposed borrowing funds to pay for the district's construction needs. District administrators also emphasized that they would likely use funding borrowed against sales tax bonds, and thus would not raise taxes.

Adam Sullivan of the Iowa City Press-Citizen writes that Superintendent Steve Murley's contract is still in limbo.

An illuminating conversation with the Gazette's Marc Morehouse and a Michigan State beat writer previewing the Spartan versus Hawkeye matchup Saturday.

A state task force on salaries and compensation for teachers recommended higher salaries and more career options. (Des Moines Register)

Huzzah! Sutliff Bridge is set to reopen today! (North Liberty Leader)

The North Liberty Leader has an account of last week's Battle of the Boot.

Optimism is high for the upcomin Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball season. (Marshalltown Times-Republican)

Here's some reaction from political insiders on the vice presidential debate last night. (Des Moines Register) And Iowans also reacted via social media.

The State of Iowa has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit for alleged negligence in the death of a disabled man at a residence center. (Associated Press)

University of Iowa President Sally Mason talked about the University of Iowa's economic impact on the state. (Press-Citizen)

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

At a school board work session, Murley recommended the board use bonds to fund capital projects, which could include new elementary schools, a new high school and building renovations.

That would break from the district’s traditional approach of paying with tax money it already has collected, but Murley and Craig Hansel, the district's chief financial officer, said that does not provide enough dollars soon enough for the district to deal with its growing enrollment.

“We’re feeling that crunch in our classrooms and we really need to address those needs sooner than later,” Hansel said.

The four board members at the meeting agreed with Murley’s recommendation – and an absent member had a statement in support read – giving the unofficial majority backing needed to move forward.

Featured Directory Listing of the Day: Wendy's