Last night the Salida R-32-J School Board showed unanimous support for the district's initiative to place a $25 million bond issue and three separate mill levy options on the November ballot. In four separate 7-0 votes, the Board took a bold step towards moving the Salida school district into the 21st Century.
From this point forward, my comments regarding these issues will be limited to providing facts and responding to questions.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Today the school district administration and Board are hosting to two more public forums concerning our facilities master plan and possible bond issue and mill levy initiatives.
There will be sessions both held at Longfellow Elementary. The first one is at 11:00 am and the second will be at 7:00 pm.
Try to attend.
There will be sessions both held at Longfellow Elementary. The first one is at 11:00 am and the second will be at 7:00 pm.
Try to attend.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
City Council Cooperation
At last night's meeting of the city council of the City of Salida, Colorado, council members and the mayor showed their full support for the efforts of the administration and Board of Directors for Salida R-32-J School District by carefully considering potential ballot measures for the November general election.
The school district has been working for nearly a year on determining the district's needs and preparing plans for addressing those needs. Part of that plan includes possible ballot measures which potentially could call for a bond referendum and up to three separate mill levy override options.
The city council listened to comments from the school district superintendent, John Rouse, and from Board member, Penny Wilken. After considering their comments and other feedback from citizens who were present, the council decided to place just two tax-related measures on the November ballot. Neither of these two measures in any way competes with those that the school board is likely to ask voters to consider. One is a hotel room occupancy tax and the other is a 1% sales tax that includes rescinding the city's portion of the property tax.
School officials and board members appreciate the support shown by the mayor and the council as evidenced by the council's actions.
The school district has been working for nearly a year on determining the district's needs and preparing plans for addressing those needs. Part of that plan includes possible ballot measures which potentially could call for a bond referendum and up to three separate mill levy override options.
The city council listened to comments from the school district superintendent, John Rouse, and from Board member, Penny Wilken. After considering their comments and other feedback from citizens who were present, the council decided to place just two tax-related measures on the November ballot. Neither of these two measures in any way competes with those that the school board is likely to ask voters to consider. One is a hotel room occupancy tax and the other is a 1% sales tax that includes rescinding the city's portion of the property tax.
School officials and board members appreciate the support shown by the mayor and the council as evidenced by the council's actions.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Facility Planning and Bond Issue
For the past several months,the school administration and Board of Directors for Salida R-32-J have been assessing the short-term and long-term facility needs of our school district. Having gathering data from two different outside firms regarding the conditions of our current facilities and the energy issues related to our physical plant, the Board sought input as to how these issues might be addressed from the citizens of our community through a number of public forums and focus group meetings.
Most recently, the District sent out 3,000 opinion surveys to frequent voters and school district staff. We received responses from greater than 15% of the surveys. The district's financial advisor, George K. Baum, Inc., is compiling the data for detailed comparison and analysis. In-house preliminary data can be found on the school district's web site at www.salida.k12.co.us.
I welcome comments concerning that data. Comments received will be discussed during the public forum scheduled for this Thursday at 11:00 AM and again at 7:00 PM. For details, see our web site.
John
Most recently, the District sent out 3,000 opinion surveys to frequent voters and school district staff. We received responses from greater than 15% of the surveys. The district's financial advisor, George K. Baum, Inc., is compiling the data for detailed comparison and analysis. In-house preliminary data can be found on the school district's web site at www.salida.k12.co.us.
I welcome comments concerning that data. Comments received will be discussed during the public forum scheduled for this Thursday at 11:00 AM and again at 7:00 PM. For details, see our web site.
John
Opening Blog
I am opening a blog site for those who are interested blogging with the superintendent of Salida School District R-32-J in Salida, Colorado. The topics of the blog will be on issues impacting education in Salida, Colorado, and the country.
Sometimes the conversation will focus on specific issues such as the upcoming possible bond issue and mill levy.
Stay tuned!
John
Sometimes the conversation will focus on specific issues such as the upcoming possible bond issue and mill levy.
Stay tuned!
John
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