Maybe it isn’t my place to say, since my tax bill won’t change any if the Geary bond issue passes, but that never stopped me before.
I believe, in most instances, that a bond issue for a school district is like marriage. It is not entered into lightly, all parties concerned weigh the option thoroughly and it can lead to wonderful, joyous results. Those results can enrich the lives of not just the parties that are directly involved, but also the surrounding congregation or community.
Bonds are a little like taking out a car loan. You want to buy a car but don’t have the required funds on hand. So you go to the bank or car dealership and say, hey, I want to buy but I need a hand.
The bank or car dealership looks at your financial standing, how much you have coming in and going out, that sort of thing. Then you get approval or rejection.
With a bond issue a town, city or school district goes to the voters. It asks for permission to tack a few bucks on their property tax bill to help pay for a big-ticket project, usually infrastructure. With a bond, the school gets the money up front, then the loan is offered to investors like insurance companies, banks and financial firms. The buyers get a safe return on their investment and a tax break in some instances.
This bond for $5 million to bridge the gap between what the insurance company is paying and what it will cost to replace Geary High School that burned. The school’s insurance provider paid about $11.7 million toward the reconstruction. The bid for the new construction came in at $14.5 million.
It goes without saying that times are hard and everything is going up except incomes. Residents are struggling and a tax increase is never as welcome as the first robin of springtime.
But by the same token, there will never be a cheaper time to construct the school. Costs are not going to go down. The increase will only be for 10 years, and it is expected to be about $1 per month per $100. For example, if a homeowner currently pays $300 per month toward property taxes, the bond will add $3 per month.
A few years ago, there was a bond issue question to construct an entirely new campus north of town on some farmland. It didn’t fly.
This isn’t that. There is a different superintendent now who has a keen eye on the bottom line. But he also understands what a good school means to a town. And good can include – should include a safe, decent building.
Why should a voter want to increase his/her own tax bill?
A better building will attract things you might not even consider. Like freshly graduated teachers who can get a job anywhere in the state because everywhere needs teachers. So are the new grads going to take a job at Dreary Old Rundown High (I made that up) or fresh, modern, shiny Geary Public Schools?
A new building says something to students as well. It says education is important to the adults of this town, and it should be important to you. It says we care about you and your safety. It says school is good and fun and something to look forward to.
A new building says to those passing through town or considering a move here that the community has pride in itself and cares about its students. It says we care about our youngsters. It says this is a good place to live.
And what happens when they believe it is a good place to live and move here and buy a house and send their students to that new school?
The tax used to repay the bond spreads across more households. That lightens the burden for everyone.
There are arguments – the old school was good enough for me, I don’ t have kids in school, and so on and so on.
But think of the screaming deal the district is getting on a new school – a few million instead of tens of millions. Think about what that new school will mean when you go to sell your home. It is going to fetch a higher price and put more money in your pocket.
It won’t make the sports teams better or increase the test scores by itself. But when a community says ‘we care’ teams and tests assume a greater importance to the players and students.
With every fiber of my being I believe in the good an improved school can do for our towns.
With everything in me, and the power of the press, I urge all eligible voters to vote yes for the bond issue and the good it will bring to the town of Geary.