In brief: Bond ballots due by Tuesday
Voters in the East Valley and Freeman School Districts have until Tuesday to mail their ballots for the bond elections.
Both districts are dealing with aging buildings that aren’t up to code and have leaky roofs. East Valley is making its second try this year to pass at $33 million bond to pay for the complete modernization of Mountain View Middle School, East Valley Middle School and Otis Orchards Elementary School. The bond would also pay for technology, communications and security systems upgrades at all elementary schools. The district is eligible for $22.7 million in matching funds from the state.
The bond received 55.44 percent approval during March’s special election but requires a 60 percent yes vote to pass. It would cost about $1.37 per $1,000 in assessed home value, less than the value of the bond that is expiring this year. The new bond would not take effect until the current one expires. The owner of a $200,000 home would pay approximately $274 per year.
Freeman has a $19.5 million bond on the ballot. It would pay for modernizing and expanding the high school and elementary school, and safety improvements. The district is eligible for $10.5 million in matching funds from the state. Previous bonds for the projects failed twice in 2002 and once in 2005. All the elections collected more than 50 percent of the vote but fell short of the required 60 percent approval.
Residents would pay $1.59 per $1,000 in assessed home value.
– Nina Culver
EV, Freeman, Liberty Lake
All Bear weekend planned in July
The Central Valley High School Alumni Association and the CV Activities Foundation will join forces for an All-Bear Weekend July 11 and 12 in Liberty Lake. The weekend will feature an alumni golf tournament to raise funds for CV student activities and an all-class/year alumni picnic.
The seventh annual Bear Scramble will start July 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the MeadowWood Golf Course. The $100 entry fee per person includes green fees and cart, prizes and dinner at the alumni picnic.
The picnic will be held Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Liberty Lake Pavillion Park. All CV Bear alumni, including their families and friends, are welcome. A no-host picnic dinner will be available for purchase, or Bears can bring their own picnic baskets.
There will be a silent auction/raffle at the event to underwrite the costs of the picnic.
Volunteers to help plan the events and donations are being accepted.
For information about the golf tournament, e-mail Rick Giampietri at giamfbwesw@msn.com or Maggie Crabtree, alumni picnic chairperson, maggie@crabbytrees.com, or write to CV Alumni All Bear Weekend, 11613 E. Fourth Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99206 or call Maggie Crabtree at 999-2928.
Central Valley
PALS meeting Monday
The Parents of Able Learners (PALS) group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., to discuss budget cuts to the Central Valley School District program. Parents are encouraged to bring questions.
– From staff reports
SPOKANE VALLEY
Council members available to speak
Planning an event and don’t have enough money to hire a speaker? The Spokane Valley City Council is there for you.
Council members are offering their services as a “Speakers Bureau” with 15 prepared topics and the ability to improvise.
Don’t see your preferred topic on the list? Just ask.
The council’s repertoire ranges from “City Government 101,” an overview on how the city’s council-manager form of government operates, to detailed discussions of the government’s major projects and problems.
The Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan, street maintenance, construction regulations, park programs and projects, the city budget and thoughts about the city’s fifth anniversary are among the ready-to-go presentations.
For the full list or to book a council member, click on the “City Council” link on the city’s Web site, www.spokanevalley.org or contact Carolbelle Branch at cbranch@spokanevalley.org or 688-0232.
– John Craig