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Take time for runup to vote on bond issue
Last Updated: September 17, 2015

We will reserve judgment until we hear a proposal.

But for now, it's the perfect time to encourage Valley Center school district residents to get plugged in.

The school board this week took its first formal step toward setting a vote on a bond issue for school improvements. The vote could come as early as February 2016, but it likely will land in May or early June.

No pricetag has been set, but the board has been looking at $15 million worth of work to alleviate safety and space concerns. The plan may include storm shelters at the district's three schools that don't have one — intermediate school, middle school and Wheatland — as well as options to increase classroom space for the elementary levels.

It's been seven years since the district last approved a bond issue. The $57.5 million plan was for a new high school and a host of other buildings and improvements. Because of action taken by the school board this week, taxpayers will be footing that bill through 2033, five years longer than anticipated.

The board agreed to refinance the bonds and spread out the payments for five more years to avoid a sharp increase in the property tax mill levy used to make payments on the debt.

It appears that was the right move. The situation was unavoidable, really. Property value growth in the district hasn't met the expectations officials had when the bonds were first issued in 2008.

The move clears the way for an additional bond issue without increasing the property tax mill levy.

Finances aside, the community will be called on over the next few months to help guide the school board's decisions on a new bond issue. There will be a steering committee, school board meetings and public informational sessions along the way.

Whether you agree or disagree with the idea, we hope you get involved with the process. This is your chance.

— The Ark Valley News




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