Don’t forget the date: May 24

An important date is right around the corner. Tuesday, May 24 is the date of the Tri-City United School District bond referendum vote.

This vote isn’t something that has quickly occurred. It is the result of an extensive study done on the district’s enrollment, which shows that the district is growing quicker than it anticipated. Last October, the high school enrollment was at 545 students. In eight years, it is expected to grow to 625 students. It only holds 490. The Montgomery elementary and middle schools have a capacity of 653. That campus is projected to grow to 726 student in the same time frame.

Anyone who has been to a program in our auditorium knows of its limitations. From the uncomfortable, squeaky and loose seats, to its diminished capacity, no matter the event, some people are always forced to stand in the wings. I have seen this for years. It’s not appealing nor is it safe. On many occasions I have seen lines of people watching a show from outside the auditorium doors because there wasn’t enough seating. I have often wondered what would happen if, heaven forbid, an emergency would occur. With that many people squeezed into a small space, it doesn’t sit well from a safety standard.Our community and its students deserve something better.

The bond referendum will fix that. It calls for a 700-seat capacity auditorium that will support student efforts with a dedicated space to showcase their talents. We built a beautiful athletic facility to support the sports. Don’t we owe it to the students in fine arts to give them a nice space?

The new auditorium will also help with class space because it will provide two flexible classrooms that will boost the high school capacity to 675.  

The bond referendum is also the result of a study done on the district’s facilities, which show that some buildings are in need of major help. One of the Le Center buildings needs a new roof and air conditioning. The whole campus in Le Center needs a better security system, along with better nurse and health facilities. Prior to air conditioning being installed in Montgomery (then M-L H.S.) I recall my kids coming home feeling miserable because the classrooms were stiflingly hot. They couldn’t study. Le Center students deserve some air conditioning.

The plan is also shared with the TCU campus to the east. Lonsdale is also predicted to become overcrowded, so the plan calls for four more classrooms that will let grades five and six stay there. That solution also eases the growing pains for the Montgomery Middle School.

The plan also calls for a secure entry for TCU’s littlest students - the pre-kindergartners.  

I don’t like to pay more in taxes, but taxpayers have one thing in their favor with this referendum: timing. A debt in the former Le Center School District is expected to end in February, 2017. This will reduce tax impacts across the entire district, due to the bond funding shift that occurred as part of the consolidation. This means Le Center residents will begin paying for a third of the new high school, easing that burden from the rest of us. 

The tax impacts speak for themselves. For a home with a $200,000 value, the estimated annual impact is $41 a year ($3.50 a month) for former M-L District residents, and $92.27 ($7.69 a month) for former Le Center District residents. If you would like to find out what you are expected to pay, visit http://levyinfo.com/LevyInfo/ISD2905_2016.php. 

Really, the vote is about priorities and where you’d spend the extra money that would go toward the school district and its students. Personally, I know $41 isn’t a huge amount for me. I’ve spent that, and more, in garden mulch alone this spring. If I cut out a fancy coffee each month, I will have the extra covered.

However, I know that for some people that dollar amount is significant. I don’t blame anyone for voting the way they do, just be informed and educated before you vote. The district has done a great job being transparent with referendum information through articles in the paper, fliers mailed to residents and information on its website. Also, Superintendent Teri Preisler has also held several presentations for the public, and has attended community group meetings to make sure everyone is aware of what is asked of you on Tuesday. 

Get informed and vote on Tuesday, May 24.