On March 10 Tacoma voters will decide the futures of numerous Tacoma Public Schools facilities. A special election will be held that day for a $300 million capital improvement bond to fund major construction projects at Baker, Hunt and Stewart middle schools and complete phase II renovations at Wilson High School, which includes removing older classroom wings and upgrading the performing arts center and athletic field. The bond would also provide capital for small projects at other Tacoma schools, things like much-needed heating and air conditioning upgrades, roof and carpet replacements, and bringing the schools into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Part of a long-range district facilities improvement plan that would continue through 2020 to complete modernizations at 24 district schools altogether, the bond will be funded by Tacoma property owners with the overall school tax rate increasing by 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2010. For example, it is estimated that the owner of a home valued at $250,000 would pay an additional $12.50 monthly in property taxes.
When you get right down to it, this is a reasonable price to pay given the impact it will have on the lives of our young people and on the hardworking teachers shouldered with the responsibility of turning out our future workforce. Add to this the fact that the schools earmarked for improvement through this bond really are in desperate need. Administrators with Tacoma Public Schools took Tacoma Weekly staff on a tour through Stewart, Baker and Hunt recently and we saw for ourselves their extremely deteriorated conditions.
Baker and Hunt, built in the mid-20th century and still using many amenities installed at that time, would be torn down completely and rebuilt, which is exactly what needs to happen for these facilities to meet the needs of a 21st century student body and educational systems. Stewart’s historic structure would remain as is, but inside all kinds of upgrades would be completed such as a new heating system to replace the school’s basement boiler, which is more than 80 years old.
It is no doubt that times are tough these days. Money is tight all over, and bond proponents are not taking lightly their request for Tacoma residents to pay more in taxes. However, with the economy such as it is construction bids are coming in lower than average, which presents a window of opportunity for Tacoma Public Schools to get the work done at a lower cost. In addition, new construction projects mean more jobs for Tacomans. There has been much speculation about what the federal government’s stimulus bill will mean for the local governmental entities. How much of that gets funneled to Tacoma remains to be seen. The bond measure, on the other hand, is in the hands of local voters. This is our own economic stimulus package.
The whole issue really comes down to this: What type of school facilities do Tacomans want for our youth? Outdated holdovers from the 1950s? Or modern schools that reflect the new century? Let’s show our children that we care about them and their education. Let’s help our teachers prepare Tacoma students for a bright future, one that will bring new heights of excellence and prosperity to our city. Vote yes on March 10.
The above opinion represents the view of Tacoma Weekly’s editorial board.
