Voters need to do their homework on a $59.8 million plant facilities levy proposed by the Blaine County School District that will be decided in an Oct. 29 election.
The proposal deserves serious consideration—not just uninformed knee-jerk responses at the polls.
Voters can do the necessary homework by going to the district's Web site and by attending information meetings scheduled all over the county in the next two weeks.
They will be held Monday, Oct. 5, from 6-7 p.m. at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum, followed by Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6-7 p.m. at Wood River Middle School in Hailey, and Friday, Oct. 16, from 5:45-6:45 p.m. at Carey School.
The district wants to replace an expiring levy, which means no new taxes, and use the money for new classroom technology, safety and security equipment, eight new middle school classrooms, a new maintenance and food storage facility, and retrofits and energy-saving installations at all schools. It might also build a new $47 million elementary school—if school enrollments continue to show a need for it.
The meetings will give voters a chance to discuss the levy with School Superintendent Lonnie Barber and Business Manager Mike Chatterton, who view the levy as necessary to create good, safe schools, enhance classroom experiences and create local jobs at the same time.
They will discuss how the money can give the local economy a shot in the arm.
The two will discuss the wisdom of freeing up money for school programs by moving things like money for new boilers out of the general budget and instead paying for them with the levy.
They will talk about the importance of investing in education—even during lean times like these.
They will discuss what could be a healthy multi-million-dollar injection into the local construction and trades economy—the sector hit hardest by the national recession.
They will outline the long-term cost-savings of the levy that allows schools to avoid otherwise giant interest payments on bonds by paying as they go.
Voters will have to weigh the investment—$158 a year in taxes on property valued at $419,610 after a homeowner's exemption is deducted—against maintaining a topnotch education for local kids.
Will it be worth it?
A recent National Science Foundation survey found that only half of people knew that the Earth circles the sun once every year.
If only to ensure that Blaine County students never fall into that dismal half of the population, voters should go to the meetings, do due diligence and give the levy their thoughtful consideration.
Correction: This editorial incorrectly stated the amount allocated for a new elementary school. The correct amount is $13.8 million. A total of $47 million is allocated for the school, 8 new middle school classrooms, Carey School improvements, a new maintenance and storage facility, and improvements at other schools and district buildings.
