Years Have Taken Toll On Several CV Schools
The Board of Directors of the Central Valley School District has selected Feb. 6 for a special election to seek approval of a two year maintenance and operations levy and for a school construction bond issue. Both issues require a 60 percent yes vote in order to be approved.
The bond issue that is being proposed is not just another bond request nor will it solve all of the district’s student housing problems. Rather it is a “reduced” request that addresses urgent needs, primarily at the elementary and junior high school levels.
Central Valley School District is experiencing the impact of several years of steady growth in the Spokane Valley. Today there are more than 10,700 students attending the 13 elementary, 5 junior high, and 2 senior high schools in Central Valley School District. Peak enrollment has stretched our facilities to the limit and left the district short of classroom space in many schools.
This bond issue will ease overcrowding by building a new elementary school at Liberty Lake for 600 students. The new school will be constructed on district property at Molter Road and Boone Avenue. This 14th elementary school will also allow the district to reduce busing of elementary-age students and allow many students throughout the district to attend school closer to home.
Central Valley’s schools have been well maintained. However, the years have taken their toll on several of our schools. This bond issue will provide for a thorough remodel of Bowdish Junior High School, which was built in 1959, thereby adding 20 years to the useful life of the school. Classrooms, labs and student-support areas will be updated as will plumbing, electrical, heating, and roofing systems.
Additionally much needed updating is planned for outdoor physical education facilities at University High School and for the heating and ventilation system at South Pines Elementary School.
The bond issue will also establish a four-year capital projects fund to pay for minor remodel projects requested by our 20 schools, continue energy conservation measures, provide for paving and concrete work, safety modifications, hardware, floor and roofing upgrades and major equipment purchases. This program will also fund certain required projects, including road improvements, sewer connections, and fuel storage modifications, as well as other state and local obligations.
Central Valley School District last submitted a bond issue to the voters in the spring of 1994. That issue fell short of the 60 percent requirement for approval.
The board of directors subsequently sought input from the community and designed this bond request based upon that input. The total amount of this proposed bond is $23.281 million or approximately 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation of real property. This represents a reduction of over $12 million from the 1994 bond request of $35.73 million.
The board of directors and the school district administration have formulated this bond issue to be responsive to the greater housing needs of our students as well as being responsive to the needs of our taxpayers.
For more information about Central Valley’s school construction bond issue, please contact the school district office at 922-6700.
MEMO: Wally Stanley is superintendent of the Central Valley School District.