The capital budget provides over $11 million dollars in funding toward the approximate $15.8 million dollar project, just about 70% of the cost. What an opportunity.
The Need
The current building floods every year, it is prone to suffer severe damage when an earthquake hits, and almost 70 years of high use has taken a toll on the building's bones. The state conducts a study and survey of all Washington schools every six years, which was conducted in South Bend last Spring. Results of their work show the current elementary school needing what any school its age would...a replacement.
Should this occur, it will be a significant change for the school and community. Change is not ever easy, but the board believes it is time to address the aging building. The school district has done an amazing job maintaining our elementary school for almost 7 decades. The building has served South Bend kids since the early 1950's. In fact, current school board chairman Steve Rogers was in its very first 1st grade class. Citizens of the late 40's and early 50's built a school that has served 1000's of children for a long time. Now citizens of today have the opportunity to follow their example.
The Opportunity
How does a community of South Bend's size and resources afford to build new schools in this day and age? Well, in South Bend's case...they can't. Many people don't know this, but the state actually has laws that preclude school districts from taking on excessive debt, and for good reason. Specifically, the law says schools cannot assume debt in excess of 5% of the district's total assessed property values. In round numbers, this means South Bend could legally ask voters for approximately $9-10 million dollars. Though this amount doesn't come close to the costs of a new school, even if it did, the tax rate would be overbearing.
Knowing this was an issue and a very real problem, the district began looking for solutions almost two years ago now. With the help of our legislators (Sen. Takko, Rep. Walsh, and Rep. Blake), we have a viable way forward. The special state funding totaling over $11 million dollars presents an opportunity bringing substantial relief to taxpayers. With the special state assistance now delivered, South Bend taxpayers need to contribute $4.95 million to fully fund the project.
Capital Bond
So what happens now and how do we move forward? In short, it is now up to South Bend voters to decide. At their regular meeting last week, South Bend School District's board of directors unanimously voted to present voters with a $4.95 million dollar bond initiative to be placed on the April 24, 2018 ballot. If approved by voters, SB's current elementary school of almost 70 years, will be replaced by a brand new facility.
If the bond is approved in April, the district will move directly into building design. This process will involve the district's architectural team, community members, school staff, and board in order to come up with an elementary school we all can be proud of, a school that will most likely serve our community and students for decades to come. Bids would go out as early as next January, and ground could break as early as March, 2019.
Between now and April 24, our goal is to do our very best to educate the public with all the facts, numbers, and information needed to make an informed decision. The opportunity we have at stake demands nothing less, and our kids certainly deserve nothing less. In the coming weeks I will be providing various articles highlighting details about the project. If people have questions, comments, or ideas, please feel free to contact me or visit my office. The door is always open.
Superintendent Jon Tienhaara can be contacted at 360-875-6041 ext 4 or at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org
