Few will deny that there are needs in the Everett School District. However, few also deny that the way the district went about building their new $28 million administration building was deceptive and used money that could have gone to some of those current needs.
That being said, the public must to be aware that while needs haven’t changed, neither has the attitude that it was appropriate to squirrel away $28 million over the last 20 years without public consent to build an administration building we never got to vote on. Doubling down on the message that local bond funds weren’t used seems to be their only reaction to the February bond failure. However, even if the money wasn’t extracted from local dollars, it was extracted from state funds meant to enhance local tax dollars to meet student facility needs.
Now we have the same version of the failed bond resolution being financed by sizeable donations from local businesses who want to bid for the projects. Over 50 percent of the money raised has come directly from businesses that stand to win contracts with the district for these “needs.” Nearly all of the “vote yes” letters appearing recently have been from community members with direct connections (often financial) to the district.
Before you vote, ask yourself if this election’s really about kids or is it about business interests and influence? Yes, there are needs. But the greater need is a change of attitude toward the average citizen. Perhaps another message needs to be sent to make sure that when we do approve the largest bond amount ever in this district, that our money is honored and our vote is respected.
Kim Guymon
Everett
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