The Future Is In Your Hands

Preserve the Progress-Prepare for the Future. That’s the rallying call behind the effort to pass the 2.95 mill Permanent Improvement levy two years ago. And you did.
What have we done with your money? Good question. First let’s look at what we promised to do with your money.
We promised to buy buses, classroom equipment, computers, energy-efficient windows, handicap accessibility, heating systems, paving, playground equipment, restrooms, roofing, safety, security systems, technology and textbooks. Quite a list.
Next we need to share with you that of the 5 years of levy monies approved by the voters, we have only collected about one year’s worth so far. About one and a half million dollars.
The reason is that after the approval, we did not begin to get the money until the following tax year. So we only have receipts for 2008 and an advance on 2009.
If you go to the office and ask for the summary which Mr. Combs prepared for me you will see a pre-levy carry-over balance from previous years of $41,000 in the accounts. That is the money we set aside to go with the Athletic Booster’s generous contributions to pay for the new bleachers in the gym at the high school. Thank you very much Boosters! Total expenditures about $140,000.
Now to the levy money. Total receipts so far, (March 31, 09) $1,697,462.46. Total expenditures to date, $1,047,723.54. Leaving a balance unspent of $649,738.92.
What did you get for your money? Rounding to the nearest thousand dollars, though we have the figures to the penny, here it is.
Textbook replacement, $246,000. Technology, $224,000. Security, $110,000. Paving, $126,000. Roof repair, $44,000. Three buses, less state share, $201,000. Window repair and restoration, $21,000. Gym wall pads and covers, $9,000. Classroom furniture, $6,000. Custodial, maintenance and transportation equipment, $33,000. And here’s one that got my attention: County Auditor and Treasurer fees, $28,000.
It had escaped my attention before that we must pay the Auditor and Treasurer to calculate, collect and disburse our money from the taxes you pay. Someone has to pay those salaries, and it is us. Which is really you, but that’s another subject.
Sounds good on the surface. What didn’t you get that you were promised? Great question. We did not spend an estimated $400,000 to install elevators in Washington and Harmar schools. Since new buildings could possibly be in our future we felt this was an expense that could await further public approval of the future of the district.
We also chose to hire a local contractor to do some major work on the windows at Washington School to increase both safety and efficiency. We opted for this expense over spending nearly $400,000 that would not have returned the investment for over 30 years. Again, the future of the district needs to be clearer before an expense of that size can be justified.
We have also not spent any of the permanent improvement money on playgrounds. Though there have been many improvements thanks to PTOs and others. Our playgrounds overall are acceptable and safe. Our goal is a much grander improvement later.
Any money unspent from this levy can be used in the event you, the voters, approve the construction of new buildings. And we are getting much closer to being able to report the final numbers and recommendations from the state.
Yes, we have been saying we are getting close since October, but really, we are. They are running out of stall tactics and final figures will soon be available. Be prepared. The future of your schools will soon be in your hands.