Proponents of a proposed $59.8 million school levy are touting the measure as a means of rescuing the Wood River Valley's sagging economy.
That message was delivered loud and clear at the first of three public meetings on the levy Monday evening at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum.
"In these tough economic times, we need to sometimes look at things differently," said Blaine County School District Superintendent Lonnie Barber. "We think that 80 percent of the money will come right back into the community. We plan to hire local contractors and to buy from local suppliers."
Theresa Castellano-Wood, a member of the district's levy committee, said she and her husband decided to move to Blaine County to take advantage of the district's school system.
"This school district is an incredible asset to this community," Castellano-Wood said. "People are out there just like us who came here to put their children in this district. This is what is going to pull us out of this recession in this valley."
Castellano-Wood's remarks were echoed by Millie Reidy, another member of the levy committee.
"We would not have moved here with four children if the schools were not good," Reidy said. "If you can't put money into the schools, I don't know where your heart is."
Reidy and Castellano-Wood were responding to comments from Sun Valley resident Cris Thiessen, who suggested that the school district wait until the economy recovers before asking property owners for tax assessments.
"My problem is I don't think there's a person in this community that hasn't taken a big financial hit," Thiessen said. "I bet there are a lot of people in this valley who would be happy with another $200 in their pockets. I just don't think this is a good time. We're already spending two times the state average per student. This district is not hurting."
Monday's meeting was a somewhat informal affair held in the Hemingway Elementary School library. About 35 people attended, the majority of them district employees or levy committee members.
A second public meeting was held Tuesday night in Hailey and a third is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, at 5:45 p.m. at Carey School.
The election is scheduled for Oct. 29.
Barber acknowledged at Monday's meeting that the district intentionally avoided holding the levy vote on Election Day, Nov. 3, in order to improve its chances of passing.
He was responding to queries from Sun Valley resident Mary Thiessen, who asked, "Don't you want everyone to vote?"
"It's harder to pass a bond if everyone comes to vote," Barber said. "We want the maximum number of positive votes."
"You're not doing it for the benefit of the voters," Mary Thiessen said. "You're doing it to pass a vote."
"We're doing it to pass a levy," Barber responded.
If approved, the proposed plant facilities levy would raise $59.8 million over the next 10 years for technology enhancements, safety and security upgrades, new construction and facility improvements. The levy would replace an existing plant facilities levy that expires in July 2010 and a school bond that will be repaid at about the same time.
District officials point out that the proposed levy assessments will actually be lower than the amount previously raised by the other two measures.
District Business Manager Mike Chatterton said approval of the levy will help the district avoid the possibility of layoffs.
"By having this levy, it helps us not to make those tough decisions," Chatterton said. As an example, he asked, "If Hailey (Elementary School) needs a new roof, do we put on a new roof or lay off six teachers?"
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Triumph resident Pat Murphy asks about “how the money will be spent” at a Blaine County School District meeting Monday on a proposed $59.8 million plant facilities levy. Seated next to Murphy is Alex Sundali, former chairwoman of the district board of trustees and a staunch supporter of the levy. Photo by Willy Cook
