01/25/2012: "Take The Long View"

(The following letter is from the SJI School Board -Ed)

As the newly elected Board of Directors of the San Juan Island School District, we request that voters take a long term look at the facility and technology issues facing our local public schools and support the proposed Capital Projects/Technology Levy on February 14, 2012.

The highest priorities of this measure are repairing long term problems at the Elementary School. Please see a complete list of repairs and technology needs by site on the district’s website at www.sjisd.wednet.edu.

The district is requesting $3.76 million over the next four years to pay for capital and technology improvements. This is not a new tax. In 2008, the voters approved a similar measure for $2.0 million to fund capital and technology needs. This recommended amount and the list of repairs were compiled by a volunteer committee of citizens and staff. At the October 26 board meeting, a levy proposal was approved by the school board. New school board members, sworn in on November 30, have been fully informed of needed improvements, amount sent to voters, and rationale behind the recommendation.

Since 2008, the district has made improvements in technology, maintenance needs, and classroom needs. However, the fund has not proven large enough to complete major projects such as the elementary roof and the high school locker rooms. The longer we delay these projects, the costlier they will be.

This proposed levy will not pay for any new facilities. Identified projects will be completed in an economical manner preserving current assets. The community fields located on Carter Street are under lease with a private lessor until 2017. No public dollars will be used from this levy measure to advance field development.

Your vote for the Capital Projects/Technology Levy will assure that the district has adequate funds to preserve the facilities that our students and community require.

Thank you for your consideration and for your support.

Brent Snow, Board Chair, position #1
Deborah Nolan, Vice Chair, position #2
Ralph Hahn, Board of Directors position # 3
Jenn Furber, Board of Directors, position #4
Jack McKenna, Board of Directors, position #5