King County Local Voters Pamphlet
May 15, 2001 Special Election Riverview School District No. 407
RIVERVIEW SCHOOLS FACILITY IMPROVEMENT
The Board of Riverview School District No. 407 passed Resolution No. 01-01 concerning this proposition. This proposition authorizes the District to re-roof and make structural upgrades to Tolt Middle School, re-roof Cedarcrest High School and Stillwater Elementary School, construct a multi-purpose athletic field and complete the Riverview Performing Arts Center at Cedarcrest High School, issue $5,750,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 20 years, and levy property taxes annually, in addition to regular tax levies to repay such bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 01-01. Shall this proposition be: Approved __ Rejected __
Passage of Proposition No. 1 would allow the issuance of $5,750,000 of bonds by Riverview School District No. 407 ("District") to provide funding for re-roofing and structural upgrades to Tolt Middle School, re-roofing of Cedarcrest High School and Stillwater Elementary School, construction of a multi-purpose physical education and athletic field and completion of the Riverview Performing Arts Center at Cedarcrest High School. The bonds would be repaid out of annual property tax levies over a period of 20 years. The exact amount of annual levies for these bonds would depend on the amount of principal paid each year and on the interest rates available at the time the bonds are sold, but levies are expected to average approximately 21.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for the term of the bonds. The District anticipates the receipt of a litigation settlement from Loadmaster, Inc. If such settlement is received, the District will use $750,000 of the settlement to pay debt service on the bonds and to offset future levy collections.
Needs, Plain and Simple. Our students need our support and Riverview School District's Proposition 1 addresses the current needs of our schools. The existing facilities are inadequate. Proposition 1 will provide much-needed roof and structural repairs to three schools damaged by leaking roofs. The falling ceiling tiles, cracked and bulging walls, pose safety risks to students and staff. Adequate facilities are also needed to complete a total physical education curriculum. Some athletes travel many miles to facilities we rent from surrounding districts resulting in increased traffic hazards, time away from schoolwork, and limits participation. Rental fees impose additional financial burdens on the district. This proposition provides an all weather P.E. and athletic field and track with minimum facilities. The unfinished theater is unsafe. Proposition 1 will retrofit the electrical system; provide draperies, rigging and storage for paint, tools, scenery, and costumes. Participation in drama classes and athletics has been shown to build teamwork, self-esteem, creative thinking, and improve problem solving skills. The average tax rate for this is 21.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value. Expiring bonds will offset most of the increase to the tax rate. Our schools, kids and community need these facilities; please vote yes.
Don't believe lies and half-truths. With current enrollment projections, we will not need new schools until after 2006. All season turf will actually reduce maintenance costs. Partial settlements from the roof litigation has already reduced this bond by 550k. The rest of the money will reimburse the general fund for legal costs exceeding 400k. This bond will only increase your existing taxes by $1.00 per $100,000 of assessed value. Know the real facts, vote Yes. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: KATE MILLER, JAN NEIGEL, CAROLYN BUTLER
TRUTH: What the School Board/advocates don't want you to know: - TRUTH - Conservatively, it will cost over $400/student for the next 20 years. After interest, the fields alone will cost nearly $6 million. This is equivalent to giving a laptop to every graduating senior for the next 20 years. - TRUTH - Maintenance, maintenance equipment and operations costs are not included. It will conservatively cost an extra $2.5 million over 20 years for field upkeep. - TRUTH - Roof settlement is $1.5 million, but only $750k will pay down bond debt. A $750k "bonus" is left to divert to some undisclosed and voter unapproved purpose. - TRUTH - Fields issue has been voted down five times. The District knew the roofs were leaking in 1998. Roofs/PAC only became a priority to leverage parent guilt and pass playfields. Otherwise, roofs/PAC were to be "postponed until the fall" for another field vote. - TRUTH - Last election's tax hikes haven't yet hit most taxpayers. District plans to seek K-8 and a High School. - TRUTH - A MODEST 300,000 sqft playfield would cost approximately $270,000 or 90˘/sqft. We need teachers, schools, and modest fields…Not field crews, bond packaging, and grandiose schemes. VOTE NO ON THIS CONTRIVED PLAN.
- Chairperson, Riverview schools committee stated: [We can] postpone the roof and PAC completion bond until the fall. Clearly the roofs are not an immediate NEED. In November, taxpayers can pass a bond that requires the entire settlement go immediately to repay a separate roof bond. Cost is $0. - See the PLAIN truth and more field, roof and PAC facts at: http://www.riverviewschools.org - A SIMPLE $270k field will accommodate a football and soccer field. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: ARDEN GREMMERT, KAREN HILL, DEAN HALSTEAD
NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.
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Updated: May 1, 2001
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