Wv Proposal Reduced To Absolute Essentials
The opportunity to write 400 words in the well-read Valley Voice to present the bond issue to the West Valley community is certainly a gift to this school superintendent.
Given this opportunity, what words do I choose to present the bond issue while being careful to balance the needs of our students with the financial concerns of those who live in our community? In that regard, I have personally read every survey that has been returned to the district over the last five years and have listened to your concerns about rising taxes, cost of living expenses, etc.
During the last four bond issue failures, you have never heard one threat; not once have we cried, “The sky is falling!” Instead we have refurbished shower rooms, bathrooms, closets, storage areas, teacher work areas, custodial rooms, etc., to provide learning spaces for students.
In trying to balance the student needs with your fiscal concerns, the facilities committee and board have reduced this bond issue from the last by more than half, from $9.7 million to $4.2 million. This bond issue will cost 45 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation. We have cut everything out of the bond issue except classroom space, equipping the classrooms being built and meeting code requirements.
That is not to say that all those items cut are not important, because they are. However, classroom space is absolutely essential. In December, 1995, the district commissioned a survey of West Valley patrons. According to that survey, 80 percent of those respondents ranked classroom space as a high or medium priority. (See December 1995 Report Card.)
If the bond issue fails again, the West Valley community will continue to provide quality educational opportunities for all students because West Valley School District is housed within a community that will provide for its children - that is a proven fact. We will work together to find a way. The many people who have faithfully worked on the bond issue throughout the past five years are again requesting your support of this bond proposal, and they hope you will respond favorably due to their efforts to balance your fiscal realities as well as the educational needs of the children under our care.
The issue placed before the voters on February 6 reads as follows:
“West Valley School District No. 363 general obligation bonds, series 1996 - $4.2 million to construct and equip 16 new classrooms to existing elementary schools, to make capital improvements to meet building code requirements, and make other capital improvements deemed necessary by the board.
Shall West Valley School District No. 363 issue $4.2 million of its general obligation bonds, maturing within a maximum term of 20 years, and shall annual property tax levies in excess of regular property tax levies be authorized to repay such bonds, as described in resolution No. 95-25?”
We appreciate your support.
MEMO: David E. Smith is superintendent of the West Valley School District.