Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I vote for this bond if I do not have kids or grandkids attending Banks School District? As adults, it is our responsibility to educate children for our future social and economic health. It is proven that good schools increase property value and reduce crime. Our operating and maintenance costs to keep the school functioning are spiraling upward due to aging facilities. These additional maintenance expenditures paid for by your tax dollars are taking away from funds that could be spent on education.
I attended Banks School District and it was good enough for me, why should I vote for this bond? When we were in school we were much younger and probably in better shape - so was the school. Recent graduates may not have noticed all the work being done behind the scenes to keep the school functioning, nor realized what they were missing out on because money was being funneled to high operation and maintenance costs rather than field trips, textbooks, computers, and lab supplies. Students may not notice that classrooms adjacent to the boiler are not being used due to unsafe fumes. You do not need to have been trained in structural engineering to appreciate how unsafe the unreinforced glass block masonry with failing mortar could be in a moderate earthquake at the junior high. Did you chat with the fire marshal at football games about the lack of fire suppression systems? Were you aware that the buildings are not to code in other areas, such as handicap accessibility? Brave Pride is a terrific feeling but professionals have advised us that it is time to replace our ailing facilities.
Are these projects what the community Facilities Planning Committee proposed? Yes. After reviewing the analysis by professional consultants, the community Facilities Planning Committee recognized the need for immediate action. The Committee considered many different options including expansion, renovation, and construction. The Committee found the most cost effective approach was to replace older sections of both the junior and senior high schools. Members of the District, the Facilities Planning Committee, and other community members will be involved in the design process to ensure goals are met.
So what will the major improvements be at the junior high and high school? The older sections not suited for renovation will be replaced. This primarily consists of the classrooms and administrative areas. At the high school, the goal is to retain the gym and newer building sections. The new sections of the junior high built in 1997 will also be retained. The new structures will be adjacent to existing facilities.
What about the elementary school? The elementary school built in 1997 is the type of facility with high performance classrooms that the Facilities Planning Committee aims to provide at the junior and senior high. Growth issues at the elementary are being addressed with a junior high design that may enable conversion to a middle school.
Will we lose athletic fields? The Committee does not anticipate losing any varsity or junior varsity fields.
What will the new additions look like? Based on recent school design trends, it is assumed that the classroom space will be of two-story construction to allow for cost effective design, land use, and expansion. The District has almost completed the process to hire an architect and civil engineer to develop the long-term master plan and layout. Funds from the bond will pay for the remainder of the design and engineering process. It is hoped there will be a preliminary architectural concept design available at the School Bond Community Informational Meeting on September 23 – High School Gym, 7 pm.
Why not construct on newly acquired land? The Committee evaluated this option and it is not economical. The District intends to build new buildings on existing building footprints, while retaining and renovating some of the newer and more viable current structures. Additional building spaces will be built adjacent and added as second stories. The Facilities Planning Committee recommended that the District monitor the availability of land for traffic and parking improvements as well as athletic fields. The District has arranged to purchase one available parcel for improved safety and traffic flow. Members of the community enjoy the environment that a unified campus provides. One campus lowers operation and maintenance costs with shared overhead, facilities, and resources.
What is the projected enrollment growth for Banks School District? In the last 10 years, enrollment in Banks schools has increased by 25%. Total K-12 enrollment is expected to increase by 27%, in the next 10 years, according to the Banks School District Enrollment Forecasts a demographics study and report conducted by the Population Research Center, Portland State University, in February 2008. The City of Banks is in the middle of a 20-year growth plan and we may see our Urban Growth Boundary expand to twice what it is now in the next couple of years.
Why doesn’t the District or City stop growth to limit overcrowding? Schools do not have the legal authority to prevent growth.
Why doesn’t the state pay for new schools? The state does not fund school construction or major maintenance. School districts must finance these projects with General Obligation Bonds authorized by the district’s voters. The 2007 Legislature did pass legislation to allow school districts to levy Systems Development Charges (SDC’s) on new construction. However, the amount of money available to the Banks School District under the new law would not be enough to pay the cost of a new school, classroom additions at existing schools, or the major maintenance projects included in the proposed bond measure. If major new development does occur, this money will help pay off the bond early.
How much would the proposed bond measure cost? The estimated tax rate increase for the proposed $25.5 million bond would be an additional property tax of $1.99 per $1,000 assessed value, or $199 in additional taxes for each $100,000 of assessed property value over the 26-year life of the bond. The rate could vary depending on interest rates, growth in the District’s 450 square mile total assessed value from new homes and businesses, and other factors. For example, as the District’s assessed value increases more than anticipated, the tax rate would go down. A property’s assessed value differs from the market value. Market value represents the value of the property in today’s real estate market. Property taxes are based on the assessed value, which is determined by the county assessor and is generally lower than the market value.
What would happen to my property taxes as new homes are built in the Banks district? New residents moving into the community would assist in the payment of the bond measure thus reducing the life of the bond.
Is the bond for facilities only? Or could it also pay for operations? By law, bond proceeds may only pay for the projects listed on the ballot that voters approve. These proceeds would construct, furnish and equip instructional facilities. No bond proceeds can be used for regular operating costs.
I’ve read the bond notice. What are core area improvements? This covers areas such as administrative offices, restrooms, hallways, furnace/electrical rooms, storage, etc.
Will traffic and parking improvements be made? The Committee’s goal is to improve traffic flow and safety at all of its schools. The District has arranged to purchase one available parcel for improved safety and traffic flow already. The design will incorporate as much parking as the Code will allow.
How come I don’t see anything about the Performing Arts Center, Community Center (e.g. Wash. Co. Library, senior center, etc.), or Sports Complex? The Facilities Planning Committee based their recommendations not only on professional opinions but they also listened to the voters. This spring a phone survey was conducted to determine what improvements and level of funding the voter of the community would support. Passage of this bond is so crucial for the safety and health of the students that the Committee did not want to jeopardize bond passage by including items that were not well supported by the community. The Committee feels the items in question would complement the District’s goals and plans to include them in the long-range master plan but they would not be funded at this time.
How will the community know bond dollars are spent as intended? The Facilities Planning Committee and the Banks School Board would ensure bond funds are used as intended.
Does the bond include technology money? The new classrooms will be built to accommodate “new” technology. The District has already invested in many computers, as they are required for mandated student assessment testing. Bond money will provide electrical and wiring connections as well as airflow cooling to enable classrooms to situate computer and other technologies. The Committee has discussed going after grant money for technology upgrades in the future.
When would the proposed new classrooms be ready for students? Due to the safety concerns at the junior high and deteriorating condition of the high school the District plans to break ground on both projects as early as July 2009. To minimize the impact to students and reduce costs, the District’s goal is to have the new classroom facilities ready for students as early as Fall 2010.
How will a 1-year construction schedule impact students? A 1-year schedule is the best alternative to minimize disruption to the students, staff, and community. The actual plans for where the students will attend class for that year are dependent on the results of the master plan. The students will remain in existing classrooms or be temporarily located in portable classrooms with student safety the top consideration.
When is the election? Bond measure 34-157 will be on the November 4, 2008, General Election ballot.
To vote in the November election, residents new to the district, and those who have moved or changed their names, must be registered to vote by October 14, 2008. You may mail your vote in or drop it off in a ballot drop box such as the one in front of the Banks Community Library.
What if the bond does not pass? There is no “back-up” plan. The measure being put forth is based on two years of hard work and decision-making done by the Facilities Planning Committee, the Banks School Board, and the District staff with input from professional consultants and the community. Without passage of the bond we will be sacrificing student safety and health, be unprepared for the potential growth of our community, and left paying for the high costs to operate and maintain ailing facilities.
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