Letter to the Editor: John Galluzzo
It’s time for the Issaquah school district Construction and maintenance Bond vote coming up on April 17th, 2012. After reviewing the Bond request, I can only describe the School Districts request this way: Thoughtful review of necessary improvements across the district balanced with Fiscal Responsibility.
Here is why I feel that way. In short, the District working through the board and many citizens committees is proposing with this Bond to rebuild two elementary schools, Clark and Sunny Hills, One middle school, Issaquah Middle, and in addition make significant improvements to Liberty High School, add additional space to Issaquah Valley and Apollo Elementary Schools to accommodate current growth and to include a renovation of Tiger Mountain Community High School with the purpose of expanding the district wide career and technical training programs.
There are significant other programs included which address many standard, yet critical renovations and repairs from simple window replacements to major projects including upgrades to mechanical systems, schools security systems and much more.
Here is the best part. A vote for this bond will actually LOWER THE PROPERTY TAX ON A $500,000 HOME BY $ 215 PER YEAR! The reason is that the current retiring Bond Debt in 2012 will save homeowners roughly .80 Cents per $ 1,000 of home vale. The Bond request as listed above will only cost approximately .37 Cents per $ 1,000 of assessed property value, thus a savings of .43 cents per 1,000 or $ 215 less per year.
In a time where overspending and failures to work within the current budget, seem to be the norm, this Bond will maximize value while having a minimal impact to its tax payers. NOW, it is time for us as a community to vote to pass this bond with a resounding yes vote! Please remember that you should be looking in your mailbox the last week of the March for your ballot. Make it easy on yourself this election, vote as soon as you receive your packet and make sure your vote counts. Vote YES on the Issaquah School Bond April 17th!