When Marysville voters go to the polls on Feb. 7, there will be much more at stake than a school construction bond and a replacement levy. The response will be a declaration of the worth we place on the future of education in our growing community.
Twice in 2005 a comprehensive school construction bond was narrowly defeated. Despite urgent construction needs, the district has reduced the amount of the bond from $171 million to $118 million to reflect community input.
When nearly 300 citizens, parents and staff were asked about district facility needs, 98 percent said a new high school must come first. More than 60 percent said that a new elementary school must also be built.
The result is a scaled-back construction bond that would build a new high school and a new elementary school to address overcrowding. The bond would also provide funding to acquire land for future school sites, upgrade technology, and address health and safety needs. The reduced bond issue on the Feb. 7 ballot would increase 2005 taxes by $10 per month on a $250,000 home.
A replacement levy for educational programs will also appear on the Feb. 7 ballot. The levy replaces an expiring tax. The replacement levy tax rate would be the same as the 2005 tax rate.
The school district currently teaches 3,000 students in 117 portables. New home sales in Marysville continue to climb. More than one new home sells each day in Marysville. With more than 3,000 lots being developed for new homes, hundreds of new students are anticipated.
The new high school would reduce overcrowding by serving 1,600 students when completed five years from now. Marysville-Pilchuck High School is 650 students over capacity and another 450 ninth-grade students are at Marysville Junior High due to lack of space at the high school.
Finding land for the new high school has not been easy. More than 50 sites were reviewed before finding three parcels on Getchell Hill that provided the necessary 40 acres. A leading educational facility design firm, BLRB, was hired to analyze the suitability of the site in advance of purchase.
The Getchell Hill site is located where the growth is – in the eastern and southern parts of the district. The city of Marysville is reducing the slope of Getchell Hill by extending 88th Street east from 67th to connect up with 84th Street at the top of Getchell Hill. This new road will be multi-lane with curbs, gutters, sidewalks and improved visibility.
Due to increasing land costs in Marysville the high school site has already increased in value by 30 percent. Utilities needed for the new school are readily available at the Getchell Hill site and should be a net savings to the district. The Olympic transmission gas line, two blocks away from the proposed high school site, is not on district property and poses no danger to students. Addressing the issue, Coffman Engineers found that “there are no issues relative to pipeline locations that would limit the use of the site for a high school.”
“With road improvements slated for Getchell Hill, accelerated growth for this area and the discounted cost of acquiring the property, the Getchell site is the prudent choice for the district,” says Steve Muller, chairman of the Marysville Planning Commission.
This bond issue – considerably reduced – addresses overcrowding and reflects community priorities.
The projects not included in this bond issue – MPHS, Liberty and Cascade elementaries – are included in a revised 20-year plan. They must wait for another day, after we demonstrate good stewardship on these projects and bring forward the next phase of priority needs.
As a community, Marysville has made incredible strides in its economic development efforts. Growth in Marysville is a reflection of a community that people find livable, family-friendly and affordable. Education and the quality of local schools is one of the most often cited reasons that a business chooses one community over another. Healthy schools and healthy communities go hand in hand.
We owe Marysville students a safe, secure, clean and uncrowded learning environment to help them succeed in school. Remember to vote on Feb. 7.
If you have questions about the bond issue or would like to set an informational meeting for your group, check the district Web site at www.msvl@k12.wa.us or call 360-653-0800.
Larry Nyland is superintendent of the Marysville School District.
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