Submitted by Lopez School
Lopez School District facilities are falling apart, and district officials are worried about keeping up with safety, health, and educational standards. This was the key message Superintendent Bill Evans delivered to the Lopez School Board recently, when he recommended that the district place a $9.6 million capital projects bond request on the November ballot. The board concurred with the superintendent’s concerns and approved the recommendation.
This new bond request represents significant revisions from the $16.5 million renovation project proposed in 2013, which did not meet with voter approval. Evans’ recommendation reflected a concerted effort by the district to respond to the messages it intuited from the last bond attempt and the significant community input sought and received since that election. The message was very clear, stated Evans, that the community values its Lopez and Decatur Schools and wants what is best for its students, including safe, healthy, and educationally sound schools.
“The voters may have balked at the cost of the last request, but clearly said they would consider something that was reasonably reduced in price,” Evans’ said.
This current request is approximately 40 percent less than the original request, but will provide sufficient funding for critical upgrades and renovations to meet basic safety, health and educational standards. By reducing originally proposed new additions and site improvements, trimming back on refurbishment of classrooms, and eliminating original plans for water catchment for irrigation, the District is able to present a responsive revised request to the voters.
While reserving detailed pricing of specific components for a proposed design process, including an advisory committee of staff, community, and students, it is estimated that approximately two thirds of the funding will be devoted to fixing, renovating, and upgrading the buildings to safety and health standards. Approximately one third of the funding will be committed to classroom renovations and other efforts to meet current educational standards. Lopez pays significantly more than other comparative districts for basic utilities and maintenance. The bond project will create greater efficiencies in energy and other costs so that those savings can be devoted to student learning. Other potential efficiencies will be achieved by re-configuration of office and administrative spaces. Safety will be enhanced by addressing security and safety issues, such as fire suppression systems and alarms, and developing systems to secure the campuses in the event of danger.
By hiring an experienced project supervisor, relying upon the considered expertise of the architect and engineering team, and taking advantage of Superintendent Evans’ leadership experience in school construction projects, District officials are confident they will have the expertise and oversight needed to successfully manage this critical renovation project.
Taxpayer cost is estimated to be an additional $0.30-$0.35 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property, or approximately $124 a year for a $400,000 house. This tax impact reflects an estimated interest rate that continues to be attractive and below historical averages.
District officials will be sharing more details about the bond proposal at public meetings and in various publications. For more info contact Superintendent Evans at bevans@lopez.k12.wa.us, or 360-468-2202.
