Citizens of Douglas County, the kids of this county find themselves facing a tough time. They find themselves watching and hoping from the sidelines as the adults of this county carry the ball for them by deciding public policy that will have a major effect on their lives. In this case it is a bond issue that will substantially affect the quality of the environment in which they will learn. As the debate goes on as to whether voters should or should not approve the continuation bond, many people have come forward to give their opinions on the issue. I find myself compelled to add my opinion as well.
Several people have noted that there are no restraints on the school district for spending the bond money. I have to differ. I was on the previous committee which decided the last bond issue 16 years ago. That committee directed the district on how that money should be spent and that is how the district spent the money. In keeping with the way things were done in the past, the school board asked for an independent committee, now referred to as the KIDS committee, to be created. This volunteer committee is made up of a diverse group of community members who went to each school to see for themselves what capital improvements were truly needed in excess of $100,000. Their investigations led them to unanimously establish a specific list of capital improvement priorities to be done in each school on a year by year basis and there is no doubt in my mind the district will, once again, follow those specific recommendations. Members of the KIDS committee have volunteered to stay on as an oversight committee to make sure the bond funds are spent as they have specified.
Many people understand that the 10 cents in tax monies that the school district uses to pay off the present bonds will not go back to taxpayers, but rather, will be absorbed into operating budgets of various governmental agencies, which have room in their tax limits to use this money. What makes this such a critical election for students is that in 2010 most present school bonds will be paid off and in 2011 what is left will be retired.
If the continuation bond does not pass now, schools will lose the ability to bond at a future date; thus, buildings will deteriorate further and we will not be able to build new schools in the coming decades. Will we need new schools? During the past 40 years, we have experienced periods of population growth, sometimes fast and other times at a slower rate, and there will be continued growth in the future. Planning for new schools is common sense. We must have the ability to bond in the future to meet our community's needs.
Finally, I am sure many voters are aware of a huge reduction in tax revenue flowing into the State of Nevada General Fund. The governor has told school districts to cut their budgets by 14 percent (to us that is $5 million) and be prepared for much larger cuts if necessary. In addition, building in Douglas County has been hammered by the economic downturn which has decreased the amount of tax money the school district receives from this local source. Factors such as these severely limit our ability to take care of all the capital improvements on buildings which average 36 years of age.
So when you go to vote, keep in mind how this issue will affect kids not only today but many years to come. We must have safe, well-maintained schools that provide a wholesome learning environment. Please vote yes on question No. 2.
n Keith Roman is a Minden resident and Douglas County School Board trustee. Douglas High School's Keith 'Duke' Roman Field is named after him.
