LETTER | LWSD’s building program is questionable

The LWSD is running a levy in February to raise $65.4 million more than they need to house their growing student population. There is plenty of extra space in existing Kirkland schools to house this growth. The district will consider using that space by rearranging attendance boundaries and bus schedules if the levy fails. They admit they already have enough money to provide new housing on the Eastside. It’s unspent money we entrusted to them for modernizing 30 of our schools. So far they have torn down and replaced 21 of those schools instead of modernizing them. They intend to continue this practice for the remaining eight schools. The district will consider using some of the unspent money to alleviate the housing shortage if the levy fails. The rest of the money would still be available for modernization of those eight schools.

January 29, 2011 4:00 pm

The LWSD is running a levy in February to raise $65.4 million more than they need to house their growing student population. There is plenty of extra space in existing Kirkland schools to house this growth. The district will consider using that space by rearranging attendance boundaries and bus schedules if the levy fails. They admit they already have enough money to provide new housing on the Eastside. It’s unspent money we entrusted to them for modernizing 30 of our schools. So far they have torn down and replaced 21 of those schools instead of modernizing them. They intend to continue this practice for the remaining eight schools. The district will consider using some of the unspent money to alleviate the housing shortage if the levy fails. The rest of the money would still be available for modernization of those eight schools.

The bulk of the requested levy money would be spent to house 6-12th graders together in one new small secondary school, instead of separate middle and high schools. It would be designed for a STEM program already being provided in existing schools throughout the district. A relatively small portion of the cost for this new school would provide more classrooms. The major portion of the cost would be used for roads, utilities and other major site development together with core facilities such as gym, cafeteria, admin, resource centers, common areas, and lots of other non-classroom space. Building any new school also commits the district to significant future operational, maintenance and administrative costs. The district could wait until increased enrollment actually justifies the expense of building a new 9-12 high school if the levy fails.

Bond issues are normally used to finance major expenditures for new facilities but the district decided to gamble on a levy instead because it offers better odds for success in an off year election. A bond issue requires validation with a minimum number of votes. A levy doesn’t require validation so it can’t be defeated by people not voting. A bond issue requires a 60 percent super majority. A levy will pass with a simple majority. The LWSD levy committee will work aggressively to get out the yes vote. Unless enough people who oppose this proposal actually vote no, the district will proceed with their questionable building program by default.

Paul Hall, Kirkland