On April 7 voters in the ROCORI School District go to the polls to vote on a 25 year bond proposal of no more than $29,990,000 to build a new ROCORI Middle School and make needed improvements to other district facilities. We hope the outcome of the election is a resounding yes because our kids need and deserve schools that assist and improve their education rather than distract them from getting one.
As the election date nears, we’ve been encouraged by the many voters we’ve talked to who tell us that although two months ago they were skeptics, now that they have studied the plan they are going to vote in favor of it. We feel this is due to the large amount of common sense the proposal contains.
On the other hand, the few public disagreements we’ve encountered are based primarily on the state of the economy. In a few cases, the arguments against the referendum hinge on other issues which are simply not germane to this referendum. No matter the argument, those in favor of a no vote ultimately conclude the discussion with the statement that “we all need to make do.”
The children of the district have been “making do” with an inadequate and deteriorating educational facility—the current middle school—for a number of years. The ROCORI district is now out of band-aids, and it’s time to construct a remedy that treats the cause rather than the symptoms.
The building proposal is also about organizing the ROCORI Middle School student body into an educationally-focused grade arrangement. Our communities have for years wanted to institute a true middle school concept—grades 6 to 8—because of the inherent educational value in that model. Instead, we’ve “made do” with an ad hoc arrangement because the current building is inadequate for the task.
Yes, the current economic climate presents some challenges. The costs of the proposal are significant but not overwhelming. The proposal would raise taxes on the average home in the district ($175, 000 taxable value) by $10 a month or $120 per year from current levels. This investment will improve the learning environment of every building in the district.
The economic climate presents some excellent opportunities. The proposal will eventually save the district about $400,000 per year in maintenance and operating expenses associated with a combined campus. Interest rates are also at historic lows, and the bid climate for large construction projects is favorable.
This proposal will put people to work. The school board has decided to utilize a Construction Manager for the project instead of a General Contractor. Under this approach, sub-contracts are still awarded on a low bid process, but the opportunity for local firms to participate is enhanced. Typically about 70% of these sub contracts are awarded to contractors within 30 miles of the project. That equates to real economic stimulation.
There is never a good time to spend money but sometimes you simply have to. When that time arrives, the best way to spend it is when you can get what is needed at a value price that can be financed to fit into your budget. The right purchase will fix the need for a long time, prevent the waste of money, and assist in achieving your goals. Over time, making the right purchase ends up saving you money.
The need is now. The current economic climate presents some challenges yet also provides opportunities for real savings. The benefits are numerous, and the opportunity to dramatically improve our children’s education and our school facilities at a value price is at hand.
We cannot afford to let this excellent investment opportunity slip away. Vote Yes!
Thank you for your consideration.
Barry Venable
(The writer, representing the members of the Build a New Middle School Committee, is a concerned parent of school-age children in the ROCORI School District and a co-chair of the committee.)
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