A 'no' vote on bond is OK

I? 2003, the Whitefish School District taxpayers were asked to support both the Central School building program, and the high school building program, totaling $21 million.

Back then, the average home in Whitefish sold for $160,000 and we were about to receive the new property-tax appraisals from the state for the coming six-year cycle. The new numbers were a significant increase for homeowners.

The voters set priorities, voted for the badly needed Central School rebuild for $10.2 million, and voted down the high school proposal. The Central School project gave us a lot for the money. Most who then toured the high school agreed that there were needs for improvements, but that it would have to wait to a later time.

This year, we are again waiting for the new property tax appraisal for the next six-year cycle, and we are also again being asked to pass a high school building bond issue, this time for $21.5 million — double what was asked in 2003.

The average Whitefish home in 2007 sold for just over $300,000. Double the property valuation on homes, and double the cost of the high school proposal — not good taxpayer news.

Yes, construction costs have increased, but not doubled in five years. We were told in 2003 that plan would meet the needs for the high school for the next 30 years, but few of those design ideas are being used this year.

But most alarming in the 2008 proposal is the scrapping of the entire "C Wing" (the north classroom wing that was to be remodeled in the 2003 proposal) representing 55 percent of total classroom space. "C Wing" is now to be replaced with new classrooms at a high cost to the community. This accounts for some of the excessive cost of the new bond proposal.

In the last four years, the number of Whitefish High School students has declined from 702 students in 2005 to 595 students in 2008 — a 15 percent drop. But we are being asked to build a larger school when this downward trend will likely continue.

The new state-of-the-art Glacier High School in north Kalispell averages 220 square feet per student, when it has all four classes with the anticipated 1,100 students in the coming year (no senior class this first year).

The new Whitefish High School (if built) would have 275 square feet per student, based on 595 students currently attending. That's a 25 percent increase over the new Kalispell facility. Is that really necessary, or is it a luxury in space?

There is a $600,000 projected shortfall in operating funds for the coming year, due in part to the decline in students in the district.

There is only enough operating bonding capacity (if you approve it) to make up $200,000 of this shortfall, so we are still going to have to cut $400,000 in operating costs for the coming school year.

It's a poor trade to spend more money than necessary on a big new high school when an adequate facilities upgrade could be made for 60 percent or 70 percent ($12 million to $14 million) of the total ($21.5 million) bonding capacity.

Vote "no" on the high school building bond and ask the administration and board to come back with a lower cost and realistic high school remodel plan that meets the need. It's doable with good design and cost control.

Cutting excess administrative positions while paying teachers and staff a better living wage to live in this high-cost community (at present more live out of the district than in it) should be a higher priority that spending the maximum on the high school building remodel and addition.

Your "no" vote will say a lot to a school system that should be listening.

Bruce Tate is a resident of Whitefish.