[Vision2020] my suggestions for next school bond

[Bill London]

Keely:
    I am addressing this to you as the Moscow School Board member who both
encouraged and provided information exchange during the bond election
process --  and to V2020 -- with the goal of uniting the community behind a
bond that would have broad support and would advance public education as
well.  Thanks for your efforts, and please share my ideas in the future
school board deliberations.

    First, the issue of remodeling old buildings versus constructing new
buildings....Given that remodels of both Russell and Westpark were part of
the bond, remodeling of these old buildings must be a realistic option.
Many people, myself included, would like to see that remodeling idea include
the high school as well.  Why? Basically 3 reasons.  I think integrating the
school with the community (as its present location) is good for both kids
and adults.  I also like the coherence a downtown high school provides the
community (as opposed to sprawl). And I think old buildings have more soul
than the new boxes, and many remodeled hotels etc that I have seen have been
as effective and energy efficient as the new boxes.

    Second, I do not like sprawl.  One thing I do like is that some of the
costs of sprawl are borne by the developer (fees for future parkland, fees
to hook up utilities and expand roads, etc).  In this bond election case, I
(as a taxpayer) would have to pay for the sprawl development.  I would be
paying for something I do not support or like.  The owners of undeveloped
land near that high school site would reap a financial bonanza (they would
not have to pay for development costs) and I would be helping pay for it.
Not good.

    Third, parking.  I do not believe we (the community) needs to pay for
off-street parking for high school students.  I do not want to facilitate
high school students driving to school, lunch, etc.  I think it is our
responsibility to provide off-street parking for staff and visitors at the
present high school, but not for students.  (a question: are there enough
off-street parking spaces now at the high school for all staff and
visitors?).  Lack of parking is just not a good reason to build a new high
school.

    Fourth, political realities. the numbers I have seen indicate that the
Moscow schools can count on only 33% of the voters.  They need 66%.  Big
jump.  Virtually all the undecided would have to be convinced to vote in
favor in order to pass a bond.  The next bond election needs to get people
who support remodeling the existing high school.

    Thanks for listening...BL