Republican candidates in WSD support referendum

The topic of a new high school is one that has many people talking. Although it’s been put on hold indefinitely due to personnel issues, it will resurface at some point, and probably not too far off. Many rumors and untrue claims are being made about the positions of our candidates on this issue. We’d like to set the record straight.

First of all, our entire team supports taking no action without approval from the voters in a referendum, regardless of whether the law requires it. Simply put, we believe this is the right, and only, way to proceed.

We currently have no facilities component to our strategic plan. Dick Stanton has provided a first draft of such a component, and has asked that it be discussed at the next Facilities committee meeting, so that it can be revised and completed in the near future, giving us a roadmap to help guide these major decisions.

In order to make an informed decision on a new high school, the board and the voters will need a great amount of detailed information. The high school we have is old, poorly planned, and in need of many major repairs, which is why the administration has recommended that we build a new one.

Our team will require an in-depth financial analysis. The total costs to retain, repair and run the current building over a period of 5-10 years will be compared to the total costs to replace it and run a new building. The administration anticipates increased revenue from a new building; this will be factored in if they can show this theory to be valid.

Additionally, the costs for making necessary upgrades and repairs to our other buildings will be required, so as to provide the board and the voting public with a comprehensive understanding of all of the facilities expenditures on the horizon.

The most prudent plan for paying for all of this will be determined and put forth, and ALL of these numbers will be evaluated by our auditors to provide a validity check.

At that point, even if it bears out that taxes would not need to be raised to pay for a new high school, we will hold the referendum and let the voters decide. As stated earlier, it’s the right way, and it’s the only way.