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Majority at hearing support bond levy
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 La Grande School Board member Michael Frasier makes a point about the proposed $18 million bond for maintenance and construction during Wednesday’s hearing. Sitting next to Frasier are school board members, from right, Randy Tweten, Glen Herman and John McKinnon. - Observer photos/DICK MASON This is true if the people who spoke at Wednesday’s bond hearing represented a cross section of those who will vote on it in November. About 75 people attended the hearing. A strong majority of those who spoke said they supported the bond and encouraged others to do the same. “This is a win-win for everyone,’’ said Lisa Nicholson, president of La Grande’s teachers union, the La Grande Education Association, and a sixth-grade teacher at La Grande Middle School. Wednesday’s hearing was conducted by the board to get input on the proposed bond before it makes a final decision on the amount of the levy and what it will cover July 23. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in La Grande High School’s audio visual auditorium. The bond would promote safety and security by paying for things such as roof repairs, upgraded fire alarms and improved handicapped accessibility. The bond would also pay for the addition of eight classrooms at Island City Elementary and five at the middle school. The new classrooms would provide space the district expects to need to accommodate enrollment growth and allow it to discontinue using all seven of the modulars now serving as classrooms. The $18 million bond would cost patrons about $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This means the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $135 a year in increased property taxes. Eddie Cascio of La Grande told the board that the property tax increase would be a strain on his budget. Cascio said that because of health problems he is not in a position where he can afford to pay much more in property taxes. “It is unfair to put the burden (of maintaining schools) on people who own homes,’’ Cascio said. Stacy Shown, a para-professional at La Grande High School and incoming president of the district’s classified staff employee union, said she supports the bond in part because it would provide funding to make restrooms more handicapped accessible. She said this would fulfill an important need for some students. “I whole heartedly support it (the bond),’’ Shown said, emphasizing that she was not speaking for the district’s classified staff union chapter, which has not taken a formal stand on the proposed bond. Laurie Graves a fourth-grade teacher at Central, is for the bond in part because it would provide for an improved heating system and improved insulation. She said students would welcome this. “Many times students ask me if they can wear coats because the classroom is so cold,’’ Graves said. Stephen Donnell of La Grande told the board that he thought the bond is too high. Donnell believes the district could accomplish just as much with a $12 million bond by spending money more efficiently. Donnell proposes spending $1.4 million to reopen Willow Elementary, which the district closed two years ago because of budget problems and not doing any new construction at Central, Island City and La Grande Middle School. Donnell said the construction would not be needed if Willow is reopened because of the additional space it would provide.
 Jamie Baker spoke in favor of reopening Willow Elementary School. - Observer photos/DICK MASON School board member Glen Herman responded to the Willow question by saying that the board, after serious study, decided earlier it would rather spend money on new classrooms than upgrading an old building. Dale DeLong of Island City, a member of the Facilities Committee, echoed this sentiment, saying he would rather have new classrooms added to Island City Elementary than renovate Willow. In making his point he asked the audience, if given the same amount of money, “Would you want to fix an old car or buy a new one?’’ Superintendent Larry Glaze also addressed the Willow issue, noting that reopening the school would cost the district an additional $200,000 a year in operating expenses. This would include the salaries of the additional staff members that would have to be hired plus utility expenses and more. This $200,000 would have to be taken from the general fund every year because bond money can not be used for operating expenses. No money in the proposed bond is designated for Willow. The board plans to try to sell or rent the school building and then use the proceeds for capital projects. Willow is one of a number of items not covered in the bond after seriously being considered. Some of the items not included are • a new middle school gymnasium • a new high school track • renovation of the high school auditorium • replacement of the annex gym just north of the middle school • concrete and asphalt replacement throughout the school district • extensive carpet replacement • new irrigation systems • repairs of the high school tennis courts
 ADVOCATING TRIM: Stephen Donnell encouraged the La Grande School Board to trim its proposed $18 million bond to $12 million. - The Observer/DICK MASON Following the hearing Frasier said he was encouraged. “I was very pleased with the tenor and the comments. There were some real valid comments in favor of it. I liked the tenor of the whole evening,’’ Frasier said. People may feel good about the bond but they can give it a major boost by campaigning for it, Jan Harris of La Grande said. She said this is extremely important. “The biggest problem we face is apathy,’’ Harris said. Harris is head of the Political Action Committee, a community group which will campaign for the bond. Harris urged anyone interested in helping to call her at 963-0228. People who could not attend the July 16 hearing can e-mail their ideas to board member John McKinnon at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the the superintendent’s office, 663-3202. |
