ems2430

A large part of the cost of the press box is to bring it up to code, which is required if any work is to be done at all. What we are talking about here is very modest and at the end ofthe day, represents 1.4% of the total proposal. The scope of work is outlined below, directly from the plan: "Coaches rooms (home and visitor), press/media room (4-total), scout room, public address, scorekeepers/clock. Cost based on the use of a modular structure with standard width of 12' 0" in standard length increments and single level design. Includes elevator, restrooms as required by code." I do agree with you that the schools must come first and they are. The interior of the high school will be completely redone with this bond plus we will have all new elementary schools as well as a new CO Wilson Middle School. One of the misconceptions about the bond is that it is all about athletics when in fact, stadium renovations account for less than 3% of the total package. The rest is devoted to new and improved schools.

James, that is the case, but for comparative purposes, PNG's was, let's say, quite a bit more than that. Currently, the press box has actual holes in the floor and it is pretty much a shambles and far too small. The proposal does not call for anything elaborate, for certain, but any construction done on the press box causes us to bring the entire press box up to code. This is where a majority of the cost comes from. If you have not been in it recently, I encourage you to pay it a visit.

It seems like there has been some talk about the Nederland School Bond on here on another thread, so I figured I would start a new one devoted just to the bond. I serve on the citizens bond committee and the main thing I want to achieve is to be certain that people make their decision based on facts and not assumptions. The bond truly is an investment in our community. Anyone who thinks that the quality of schools is not directly related to the long term economy of the community is mistaken. If we continue to let our schools age and deteriorate, our community will do the same. At that point, property values will drop. I heard mention of a figure of an annual tax increase of $490.00 per $100K. This number is the absolute worst case scenario and is largely dependent on when the school board actually chooses to sell the bonds. The $490 per $100K figure assumes all bonds are sold at the same time and this is a highly unlikely scenario. Also keep in mind that the proposed tax rate is still actually lower than the tax rate we paid in 2005 as our school tax rate has actually decreased over the past couple of years. Also, it needs to be known that NISD spends a great deal of time and money maintaining the existing buildings. This is your tax money at work. Would you rather see it spent to maintain old buildings or provide newer, more efficient buildings? The average age of school buildings in NISD is 50 years old and many schools are at or very near capacity and this includes a fairly heavy reliance on portable buildings. To meet space needs, we can add on to buildings that are nearing the end of their life or for slightly more money, we can have new schools. The committees opinion was that new schools was a much wiser use of funds than contuing to pump money into old, outdated buildings. For all of the facts about the bond, go to nederlandbond.com.