Warsaw School Issue Wins 3-2
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
There were 2,999 votes for “yes” on the referendum question and 1,814 for “no.”
“We’re just grateful for the support of the community and all the volunteers who came out to assist us the last few months,” Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of WCS, said after the results were in.
“As Warsaw Community Schools, we are grateful for the opportunity to address safety, security and educational needs at Lincoln, Washington and Edgewood through this referendum. Our community is very proud of our local schools, and today’s outcome provides all students a safe and equitable learning environment.”
The question on the ballot asked, “Shall Warsaw Community Schools issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of a replacement of Lincoln Elementary School and the renovation of and improvements to the Washington Elementary School and Edgewood Middle School, which is estimated to cost not more than $39,900,000 and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by a maximum of $0.138 per $100 of assessed valuation over the 20 year life of the bonds?”
This was the first time voters in Warsaw were asked to answer a question like this, though it’s not the first time WCS has constructed any buildings. A law change in 2008 requires voters to approve building projects worth $12 million or more via referendum if new property taxes are needed to pay for them.
Over 62 percent of the voters who turned out Tuesday voted in favor of the building project.
“We believe there’s a lot of support for our school system,” Hoffert said. “It’s a special place. ... When we talk about our kids’ future and our students and what that entails, we believe there’s strong support and encouragment there.”
For the next steps, Hoffert said the board will “start putting pieces into action.” It will bring in a number of architects and the bidding process will start in the next couple months.
He said there will be community forums, especially for Lincoln Elementary School, to decide what the school will look like. Hopefully, there will be a new Lincoln within the next 1-1/2 years.
“We’re looking forward to working with the city, the mayor’s office, the street commission and planning department to have a strong partnership. In the meantime, we’ll continue to make sure Lincoln is safe and secure for the students there,” Hoffert said.
The pieces involving Edgewood Middle School and Washington STEM Academy also will start, he said, but at a different pace. Hoffert said school breaks will be utilized as much as possible to keep construction work from interfering with the school days.[[In-content Ad]]
There were 2,999 votes for “yes” on the referendum question and 1,814 for “no.”
“We’re just grateful for the support of the community and all the volunteers who came out to assist us the last few months,” Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of WCS, said after the results were in.
“As Warsaw Community Schools, we are grateful for the opportunity to address safety, security and educational needs at Lincoln, Washington and Edgewood through this referendum. Our community is very proud of our local schools, and today’s outcome provides all students a safe and equitable learning environment.”
The question on the ballot asked, “Shall Warsaw Community Schools issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of a replacement of Lincoln Elementary School and the renovation of and improvements to the Washington Elementary School and Edgewood Middle School, which is estimated to cost not more than $39,900,000 and is estimated to increase the property tax rate for debt service by a maximum of $0.138 per $100 of assessed valuation over the 20 year life of the bonds?”
This was the first time voters in Warsaw were asked to answer a question like this, though it’s not the first time WCS has constructed any buildings. A law change in 2008 requires voters to approve building projects worth $12 million or more via referendum if new property taxes are needed to pay for them.
Over 62 percent of the voters who turned out Tuesday voted in favor of the building project.
“We believe there’s a lot of support for our school system,” Hoffert said. “It’s a special place. ... When we talk about our kids’ future and our students and what that entails, we believe there’s strong support and encouragment there.”
For the next steps, Hoffert said the board will “start putting pieces into action.” It will bring in a number of architects and the bidding process will start in the next couple months.
He said there will be community forums, especially for Lincoln Elementary School, to decide what the school will look like. Hopefully, there will be a new Lincoln within the next 1-1/2 years.
“We’re looking forward to working with the city, the mayor’s office, the street commission and planning department to have a strong partnership. In the meantime, we’ll continue to make sure Lincoln is safe and secure for the students there,” Hoffert said.
The pieces involving Edgewood Middle School and Washington STEM Academy also will start, he said, but at a different pace. Hoffert said school breaks will be utilized as much as possible to keep construction work from interfering with the school days.[[In-content Ad]]
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