Dear Editor,
Unintended Consequences of the $18 Million Bond
There are some hard realities that come with a small community school equipped with a Hospitality Room for sports tournaments. Shepherd is not a large, wealthy or fast-growing tax district. We pay more than 70% of our property taxes to the school. The tax cycle was quietly changed by the legislature from 6 years to 2 years because the schools kept failing to get bonds past the folks that pay the bills. We homeowners, retired folks, ranchers, farmers and small business would carry the 20 year financial load for this Bond. The $18 million becomes $27 million adding the interest (DA Davidson). While we live within our budgets, the school will be focused on bigger, better and new.
This Bond overspends both the school and our budget. The next time just around the corner the school needs more money, there is none. The retired folks on fixed incomes will have to pick between what they need and taxes at about $45 per month for each $ 200,000 in assessed property value. The 36% of the kids that still need assistance with meals, will still need it. Shepherd will still rank in the lower half of Montana schools.
The $220 per square foot space to keep Montana kids from going outside won’t help the kids scores in math, science, English or prevent remedial courses when they hit the door at college. The vocational education facilities and equipment won’t get upgraded to prepare for high paying blue-collar careers.
The current maintenance problems and costs will still be there. Only the new construction will have upgraded fire protection. The older school won’t have sprinklers or emergency lighting so the kids can safely find their way out in a fire. The maintenance costs on the new school will add operating costs for an elevator and an inefficient glass front that looks nice. The remodeling will cost more than estimated due to asbestos costs not already included.
The architect numbers show that 30% of this Bond ($ 5.7 million) are new construction and remodeling of educational facilities for the kindergarten, middle and high school (34,000 square feet). The hospitality center, concessions, weight room and shared spaces totaling 25,000 square feet of new construction cost 57 % ($10.3 million) won’t give the kids skills to make a future. The new 9500 square feet lunchroom and gym will give the kids a better place to eat for a mere $2 million dollars.
Competition for jobs is tougher than it has ever been, and the kids are lagging in math and science. I would ask every parent to take five minutes and look at the National Math and Science Initiative (nms.org). This impact of this program puts the kids in the driver’s seat to choose their future in schools like our own Shepherd. It teaches them the skills that will make them a better life. This and a common-sense affordable plan to fix the Shepherd school are the path that does not outsmart our common sense.
Vic Feuerstein
Shepherd
