School Discussion Remains Lively

One look at the 40-plus comments left at our June 16 post and it's easy to see that readers remain energized when it comes to the proposed reconstruction of Dorchester School's 80-year-old main building.

On June 25, reader "Mike" asked if there were there any estimates of tax consequences should the bond authority be approved? We replied with the following update:

According to outgoing Superintendent Ehlers, the board at this time is looking at the $3.9 million replacement project (Option #2) instead of the renovation options. At the July meeting, the board will select a 15-, 20- or 25-year bond schedule. Ehlers said that until that time, only rough estimates are available for the cost of the contemplated school improvements. A $4 million bond issue for Dorchester Public Schools would add the following to property tax bills:

• 15 year = 28 cents per $100 ($280 per $100,000 of evaluation);


• 20 year = 23.5 cents per $100 ($235 per $100,000 of evaluation); or


• 25 year = 20.5 cents per $100 ($205 per $100,000 of evaluation).
  

Ehlers also told us that currently, there are no penalties levied on schools that do not meet state code unless an agency-- such as the State Fire Marshal -- sees a risk in the building. "It could happen in 2007 or 2057," Ehlers wrote. "It would only take one parent to bring up the ADA issue and the school could be required to meet the needs of certain students. Complying with state codes is only one of the building issues."

A flurry of comments, many substantive, followed. One anonymous reader -- who said "my house payment is sitting in front of me" -- wrote that "another $350 a year (on top of current property costs) for the next 15-25 years" would make things difficult financially. "And what about grandma down the street?" the reader asked.

Reader "C.S.R." took exception with the anonymous reader's figures, responding: "My home is valued right around $100,000. That means if the board goes with the 25-year bond, we'll be paying an extra $17 a month on our property taxes. ... That's a bargain. It's a public education, not a free education."

Another anonymous reader stated that "most elderly and veteran homeowners are eligible for and receive a homestead exemption. This means that if their property is appropriately valued and certain age and/or service time requirements are met, their property is exempt from property tax. "

Reader "Younger Than Dirt" responded to a critic of the proposed construction project by saying that if "you want to change the quality of the school from the inside, you have the change the outside -- more specifically, the building and conditions. How will you get great teachers and administrators to work in a school that will not put some long term dedication into the school?"

"Realistic Grad" reminded readers that while homeowners in town might be able to afford the costs associated with the school construction, a small- or average-sized farmer could easily have at least a $1 million worth of farm land, "so do the math on that one." (That would be about $2,050 in extra taxes on $1 million of farm ground under the 25-year bond option.) Another farm land owner, "Rockin Chair Papa", said: "I know my bank account is going to be a lot smaller when I pay those taxes on my farms' -- to which reader "Bob" responded by saying, "Don't forget (farmers) pay at only 75% of valuation on farm ground."

The discussion continues...

** UPDATE: 06/27, 12:30 p.m. **

We have received a draft of the public notice for the upcoming school bond election, which will be held Sept. 11. According to the notice, District 44 voters will be asked if the school should issue bonds not to exceed $3.995 million to pay for the "demolition of the 1927 school building, site preparation and improvements, constructing additions to and renovation of the 1963 school building and providing for necessary furniture and apparatus for said school building and additions"?

According to the public notice, bonds would "be issued from time to time" as determined by the school board, and "bear interest at a rate or rates to be determined by the Board of Education and to become due at such time or times as may be fixed by the Board of Education."

The ballot will read: “Shall the District cause to be levied and collected annually a special levy of taxes against all the taxable property in said District sufficient in rate and amount to pay the interest and principal of said bonds as the same become due?”

( ) FOR said bonds and tax

( ) AGAINST said bonds and tax

Polls will be open on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m.